Spotlight on Dino Vettorel, Environmental & Loss Prevention Manage at RDM Group

Background and introduction

• Please provide a brief introduction to yourself and your current role within the carton and cartonboard industry.

My name is Dino Vettorel and I have been working at RDM Group at the Santa Giustina paper mill since 1990. I currently hold the position of Environmental & Loss Prevention Manager. The Loss Prevention department was established a few years ago and integrates naturally with the environmental activities we have been carrying out for a long time. My role is to ensure regulatory compliance regarding the environmental aspects of the production processes, while continuously working to reduce our environmental impact.

It is crucial to monitor and prevent potential issues that could cause environmental non-conformities, thereby avoiding any production interruptions.I also manage the ISO 14001 system, collaborating with all my colleagues to ensure that operational procedures meet the required standards. In addition, I oversee the FSC/PEFC forest certification, always with the goal of improving the environmental performance of the facility.

• How did you first become interested in this field, and what led you to your current career path?

Although I don’t have a specific educational background in environmental studies, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of papermaking. Ever since I was a child, I was captivated by the Santa Giustina facility when we would drive past it on the way to Belluno.

Your career journey

• Can you describe the key milestones and experiences that have shaped your career in this industry?

Having started my journey at the paper mill in management control and subsequently moving into production planning, I gained a thorough understanding of the cartonboard production process. This foundation proved invaluable when, in 2001, the RDM Group initiated ISO 14001 certification across its facilities. I became deeply involved in environmental matters at this point, leading the certification process for the Santa Giustina plant and dedicating my focus to this critical area ever since.

Building on this experience, I assumed responsibility in 2006 for the entire process of Integrated Environmental Authorizations (IEA), ensuring their necessary updates with each plant modification.

• Were there any particular challenges or turning points that stand out in your professional journey?

Definitely, the shift from a purely office-based job to environmental management in the field was a significant turning point. This change allowed me to see the paper mill from a new perspective and understand where and how to intervene to mitigate environmental impacts.

In 2018, we faced the first review of the Integrated Environmental Authorisation for paper production under the new European BAT (Best Available Techniques) guidelines. It was a complex process, which we managed entirely in-house without the need for external consultants. The result was very positive.

In 2017, at the Ecomondo trade fair in Rimini, we met a company specialising in building plants for recycling liquid food containers. This encounter led to a project that resulted in the installation of an innovative machine at the paper mill. This machine efficiently separates the fibrous material from the various components of multi-material packaging, improving fibre recovery and reducing pulp waste production.

Daily work and responsibilities

• What does a typical day or week in your current role look like?

There’s no such thing as a typical day – my job is very dynamic and requires constant presence. The main activities involve monitoring and managing environmental aspects such as waste, water, atmospheric and noise emissions.The beginning of each month is particularly intense, as we collect and analyse data for the annual sustainability report. We also work with external laboratories to monitor the environmental parameters required by our permits.

I manage Emissions Trading as well, with monthly accounting of CO₂ emissions – data that is used to validate the allocated quotas. I also dedicate significant time to updating and verifying ISO 14001 procedures, ensuring they align with RDM Group’s environmental goals.

• Are there any specific projects or initiatives you’ve been involved in recently that you find particularly exciting or innovative?

One of the most interesting projects involves the valorisation of pulp waste. For the past few years, together with management, we’ve been focused on finding alternatives to sending pulp waste to landfills or waste-to-energy plants. Recently, we started a collaboration with a company specialising in building plants that generate thermal and electrical energy from recovered materials.

It’s a project based on pyrolysis – a molecular transformation process that allows us to produce a synthesis gas, comparable in use to natural gas, starting from the plastic materials in pulp waste. It’s an ambitious project that we are pursuing with support from our Energy Manager.

Industry impact

• How do you believe your work contributes to the sustainable and environmentally friendly aspects of cartonboard packaging?

The paper industry is known to be energy and water intensive. However, in recent years, we have significantly reduced the use of these resources. We’ve implemented more efficient machines and solutions that allow us to use less water and less energy which has been great to see.

In Santa Giustina we have introduced an innovative system that allows us to recover and reuse part of the water discharged from the biological section of our industrial wastewater treatment plant. This reclaimed water is now used for lubricating mechanical seals, significantly reducing the need for fresh water. Thanks to this initiative, we are able to recover approximately 900,000 cubic meters of water per year, making a substantial contribution to water conservation and the sustainability of our production processes.

Also, we’ve also replaced our old packaging line – which required both electricity and natural gas and used shrink film to wrap cardboard sheet pallets – with a new, more efficient technology: the “Stretch Hood” system. This solution uses stretch film to hood the pallets, eliminating the need for heat and significantly lowering energy consumption. As a result, we achieve an overall energy saving of about 1,500,000 kWh per year, delivering tangible benefits both environmentally and economically.

Every day we are committed to reducing environmental impacts, thus contributing to a more circular and sustainable production model.

• What trends or developments in the industry are you most excited about, and how do they influence your work?

In recent years, there has been growing attention toward environmental performance, particularly water consumption. This is one of the areas we are most focused on – even small improvements can lead to big results. Similarly, we are working to reduce noise pollution and optimise energy consumption, areas where we’ve already made significant progress.

Advice and inspiration

• What advice do you have for individuals considering a career in the carton and carton board industry?

I always tell young people: don’t be afraid, be curious. Try to understand processes deeply, get involved, make your contribution – you have a mindset that is more open to innovation and change. Only by rolling up your sleeves will you find insights and motivation to grow both professionally and personally.

• Are there any personal or professional accomplishments that you are especially proud of and would like to share?

Certainly, the introduction of a machine at our paper mill that was later adopted by many other mills in Italy and abroad. I’m also very proud of how we manage our internal landfill site, which allows us to fully comply with environmental regulations while bringing significant economic benefits in terms of waste management.

• What is the one reason why you are proud to work in the carton and carton board industry?

The paper mill truly embodies the spirit of circular economy and sustainable industrial processes. I enjoy telling my team and students about everything we do at the paper mill to contribute to the wellbeing of our planet.