Pilot Italia: Technology, ESG and the Future of Packaging

Interview with Andrea Vimercati – Chief Executive Officer of Pilot Italia

“Our ESG approach originated from concrete supply-chain requirements and has gradually evolved to include investments in renewable energy, social initiatives and carbon footprint measurement, with the goal of combining competitiveness with environmental responsibility.” With these words, Andrea Vimercati, CEO of Pilot Italia, describes his company’s commitment to sustainability. As part of this journey, Pilot recently invested in a new OMET KFlex K6 press to improve production efficiency, reduce waste and enhance the sustainability of its operations.

Andrea Vimercati recently succeeded his father and company founder, Giancarlo Vimercati, a respected figure in the Italian printing industry who passed away about a year ago. Pilot, an Italian company specializing in self-adhesive labels and packaging printing solutions, has been a long-standing OMET customer. Over the years, the company has successfully combined technological innovation, manufacturing excellence and a growing focus on ESG principles, investing both in environmental sustainability and in the continuous improvement of its production processes.

Mr. Vimercati, can you tell us how ESG became part of your company’s strategy?

Attention to the three pillars of sustainability—environmental, governance and social issues—has always been important for Pilot, even before we formally embarked on an ESG journey. Our structured approach began about three years ago when a major pharmaceutical customer asked us to complete the EcoVadis assessment, through which we achieved a Silver Medal rating.

That experience encouraged us to develop a more structured internal approach and to begin calculating our corporate carbon footprint. Today, ESG management reports directly to the CEO, supported by internal staff and external consultants, particularly for reporting and compliance activities.

Which ESG areas are currently receiving the greatest investment?

From an environmental perspective, we are investing heavily in energy efficiency. We have already installed photovoltaic panels and will further expand the system during 2026, with the goal of reaching approximately 35 percent energy self-sufficiency. As an energy-intensive company, we have also chosen certified renewable energy suppliers.

For us, however, sustainability is not only about the environment. Since the company was founded, my father always placed great importance on people, professional development and our local community. Over the years we have supported numerous local, sporting and cultural initiatives, ranging from tree-planting projects in Milan’s Parco Nord to the support of restoration and artistic projects.

From a governance standpoint, we are committed to transparency, integrity, inclusion and ethical business practices. We hold major ISO certifications covering quality, environment and safety management, are making significant investments in workplace safety, and are also working on the implementation of Italy’s Legislative Decree 231 compliance framework.

Are there any initiatives you consider particularly significant within your ESG journey?

Every year we carry out several projects, but our approach is pragmatic. We prefer to focus on a limited number of initiatives and execute them effectively, rather than overwhelming the organization with too many activities.

These topics are still relatively new for many manufacturing companies, and we believe it is important to develop them gradually from a cultural perspective as well, engaging employees in a practical and meaningful way.

How are sustainability issues changing relationships with customers, suppliers and partners throughout the value chain?

Customers are increasingly requesting ESG-related data, ratings and information. Today, larger companies often ask for our EcoVadis score or carbon footprint data, and we believe that in the near future we will need to request similar information from our own suppliers.

Our analysis shows that approximately 87 percent of our carbon footprint originates upstream, mainly from raw materials and transportation. It is therefore inevitable that ESG considerations will progressively involve the entire supply chain.

That said, supply-chain dynamics are not always straightforward. Some large international groups already have highly advanced ESG structures in place, but their size often limits our ability to influence them. On the other hand, smaller companies—particularly in logistics—are often focused on other priorities as they face increasing pressure from rising energy and transportation costs.

Have you introduced sustainable innovations in products or production processes?

Yes. One example is Re-Newa, a self-adhesive label designed according to circular economy principles. It can be easily separated from the container, facilitating packaging recycling. So far, however, market adoption has been relatively cautious. We believe that new European packaging regulations, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), will help accelerate interest in these types of solutions.

We are also investing in technological innovation. Last September, we ordered a new OMET KFlex K6 press, a solution designed to reduce waste and optimize setup times. These improvements benefit both industrial efficiency and environmental performance, and we have high expectations for the contribution this investment will make.

Are you using specific tools or frameworks to monitor and improve ESG performance?

Yes. Through our EcoVadis program and carbon footprint assessment, we are beginning to define progressive ESG improvement targets. For us, these tools serve a dual purpose. On one hand, they support regulatory compliance and customer requirements; on the other, they provide a clearer understanding of the areas where we can make tangible improvements.

Is sustainability now a genuine competitive advantage, or is it still primarily driven by regulation?

At this stage, I would say it is both. Some customers—particularly multinational corporations and pharmaceutical companies—already include sustainability criteria in supplier selection processes.

In other cases, regulatory requirements remain the main driver. However, it is clear that the industry is moving in this direction, and over time sustainability, traceability and transparency will become increasingly important competitive factors.

Looking ahead, what will be Pilot Italia’s main ESG commitment?

I believe we will continue to focus much of our effort on environmental and social topics. Our goal is to maintain a practical and sustainable approach that is also manageable for the organization itself: continuously improving processes, energy efficiency, safety and employee well-being, without turning ESG into a purely bureaucratic exercise.

For us, ESG must remain closely linked to creating real value for both the company and the local community.