Eurocopter’s dynamic environmental policy has been matched by ten years of concrete achievements at its various sites, showing how the Group is fully committed to its continuous improvement process.

1999
AIR: Implementation of the Solvents Plan to reduce volatile organic compound emissions by 64% between 1998 and 2005.
WATER: Upgrading and modernization of the detoxification plant and the installation for treating contaminated effluent before it is released into the environment. 

2000
WATER: The anti-pollution tank is built at the continuous water treatment plant.
WASTE: Redevelopment of the sorting platform for special industrial waste.
A new waste management and recycling concept is introduced: Sorting at source and recovery of energy from waste (incinerator).

2001
WATER: Recycling rinsing water from galvanic baths to reduce the volume of effluent treated.
ENERGY: Switch from wet cleaning to dry separation for the treatment of waste gas in the paint shops.

2002
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Using frozen PRC sealant: Reduction of air emissions and quantities used; improved waste management.
MANAGEMENT: Process launched to introduce environmental management system.

2003
AIR: Preventive health care and safety at work: a new lubricant vapor extraction system is introduced for machine tools.

2004
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: A new installation for the storage of hazardous materials and special waste is introduced, in compliance with the strictest environmental requirements.

2005
AIR: Inauguration of the Large Blade Workshop in La Courneuve. The new buildings emit zero air pollution.
Water-based paint is introduced for civil programs using paint with a high solid content.

2006
BEHAVIOR: Launch of study for the Employee Commuter Plan at the Marignane site with the support of all the employees.
WASTE: Implementation of new waste management project, introduction and labeling of containers for each type of waste.

2007
MANAGEMENT: German sites certified according to the ISO 14001 international environmental management system standard.
WATER: Modernization of the electroplating waste water treatment system to comply with environmental requirements.
ENERGY: Installation of a heat recovery system in the military helicopter paint shop, leading to significant cost savings.
Construction of the plant in Albacete, which complies with environmental restrictions, particularly for heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

2008
MANAGEMENT: The French sites and the Albacete plant receive the ISO 14001 certification.
AIR: Renovation of the surface treatment facility in Marignane.
MANAGEMENT: A contract guaranteeing continuous energy savings is signed with EDF as part of investments in the energy management system. An environmental campaign targeting selective sorting and waste reduction is also launched.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS: Introduction of chromate- free sealants in the Airbus Doors sector.

2009
AIR: Launch of the Carbon Footprint project to measure Eurocopter’s impact in terms of CO2 emissions.
Introduction of water-based paint for Tiger composite components.
BEHAVIOR: Launch of ISO 14001 training for all of the Group’s environmental ambassadors.