Alcantara -- A Brand Pledged To Improving The Environment

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Alcantara®, the Italian-made material used to outfit the interiors of the world's most prestigious sports cars, is expanding its global presence with a lifestyle message keyed to improving the environment.

Alcantara's sales grew from 110.7 million euros in 2013 to more than 124 million euros last year, a jump of 12 percent. The company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled 30 million euros in 2014, a 20 percent increase compared with 25.8 million euros a year earlier.

Andrea Boragno, Alcantara's chairman and CEO, noted that his company is a major partner of Earth Day activities in Washington D.C. this year; recently helped organize a groundbreaking automotive conference on sustainability, and is one of the first European companies to be certified as carbon neutral .

"Alcantara's commitment to the environment is a core brand value that has been recognized by customers in the automotive, consumer electronics, fashion and interior design industries around the world," Boragno said.

In partnership with the World Bank's Connect4Climate, the Earth Day Network and the Global Poverty Project, Alcantara will have an 1,100-square-foot "Magic Garden" exhibit and visitors center during this year's 2015 Earth Day activities (April 17-19) on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The exhibit is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors a day.

Under Boragno's leadership, Alcantara became the first Italian company to achieve Carbon Neutrality in 2009. Two years ago the company pledged to further reduce production-process energy consumption an additional 25 percent by 2017. Today, Alcantara's commitment covers all aspects of sustainability -- economic, social and environmental, including production processes at its Umbria manufacturing facilities; usage and disposal of its products, and all emissions connected with its corporate activities in Milan.

The auto industry today accounts for 70 percent of Alcantara's annual sales, while the fashion industry contributes 13 percent and interior design and consumer electronics provide for seven and six percent, respectively.

Last year the company played a major role in organizing a groundbreaking environmental conference – The International Symposium on Sustainability in the Automotive Industry. Held in Venice, the program attracted speakers from major universities, government agencies and car makers such as Audi, PSA and General Motors.

Alcantara continues to be featured on new-model cars and concept vehicles making their debut at major auto shows in the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific Region. Audi, BMW, FCA, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Lamborghini, Maserati, Porsche, Tesla and Volkswagen are just a few of the auto makers who have featured vehicles equipped with Alcantara at auto shows over the past 12-18 months.

At the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, four vehicles representing Germany, Japan and the United States made world debuts with interiors dressed in Alcantara. Audi's new Q7 featured Alcantara on its pillars, door panels and headliner. For the debut of its hybrid NSX high-performance sports car, Acura selected grey Alcantara with contrast stitching for the door panels, control panel, headliner and the central section of the seats.

Tesla's new Dual Motor Model S was unveiled in Detroit with grey and beige Alcantara on the dashboard and headliner. BMW selected Alcantara for two of the 6 Series vehicles it introduced in Detroit as well. BMW's 650i Gran Coupe was dressed in brown Alcantara on its door panels and headliner. The BMW M6 Coupe hit the show floor with a black Alcantara steering wheel and headliner.

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Alcantara S.p.A. – www.alcantara.comFounded in 1972, Alcantara represents one of the leading Made in Italy brands. Registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A and the result of unique and proprietary technology, Alcantara® is a highly innovative material offering an unparalleled combination of sensory, aesthetic, and functional qualities. Thanks to its extraordinary versatility, Alcantara is the chosen material for leading brands in numerous specialist fields: fashion and accessories, the automotive industry, interior design, home decor and consumer-electronics. These characteristics, together with a serious and proven commitment to the use of sustainable materials, allow Alcantara to express and define contemporary lifestyle: the lifestyles of those who love to enjoy everyday products to the full whilst respecting the environment.

Having analysed, reduced and offset all CO2 emissions linked to the company, in 2009 Alcantara was certified "Carbon Neutral". In 2011 this report was extended to include the entire life cycles of Alcantara products in a "cradle to grave" analysis including use and disposal. To document the company's journey in this field, Alcantara conducts and publishes an annual Sustainability Report, certified by the international service corporation TUV SUD and available for consultation on the company website.

Headquartered in Milan, Alcantara also have production facilities and a research department in Nera Montoro in the heart of Italy's Umbria region (Terni).

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SOURCE Alcantara S.p.A.