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MATERIA
NATURA
AMBIENTE
CALORE
MATERIAL /NATURE/ENVIRONMENT/WARMTH. Listone Giordano’s plants are located in the earth of Umbria surrounded by vineyards,
hills and nature as they have been crated to perfectly fit with the surroundings. Respecting the atmosphere, the soil, protect water clarity and the landscape, consuming less energy and recycling. Here in the earth of Umbria wood floors and wines, renowned all over the world, born just few steps away one from the other, are synonyms of genius and excellence that so well distinguish “made in Italy” products. For those who love it and respect it, wood is far more than a simple material. And so producing Listone Giordano is not just our work but our life and our passion. The wood floor that furnishes the most beautiful homes all over the world is the same on which we walk day by day, on which today our children play and in the near future our grandchildren will grow up. This is the consciousness that always drives our choices, when premises are well set all the rest comes consequentially, in a natural way. We don’t even have the need to ask ourselves which is the right way, as there is just one. The way of respecting nature and the other people. The Original Green project is inspired by these principles that sum up the meaning of Nature for Listone Giordano.
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Why and How Listone Giordano helps the environment
Man and wood have always intertwined a special relationship,
managed in a sustainable way, allows forest growth and
and today more then ever this relationship is reaching out to the
amplifies the environmentally beneficial effects of the wood.
future.
Every tree is cut at the peak of its life cycle and is substituted by
Wood is vital for its capability of absorbing and retying
a younger specimen type which, while growing, will absorb more
carbon dioxide and if this natural feature is combined with
carbon dioxide than its older predecessor.
the low energy consumption needed in wood processing and
Listone Giordano hardwood floor works in favour of the
transforming, if compared to other building materials, it’s even
environment even after having been installed in the home. It
easier to understand why wood is a crucial element in fighting
improves thermal efficiency, balance environmental humidity,
climate change.
inhibits electrostatic charges accumulation and, as its adhesives
Should the wood in question be Listone Giordano hardwood floor,
and varnishes are non toxic and its emissions solvents free,
then the planet will have to thank you twice.
creates natural conditions for a healthy living.
Its chain of guardianship certification, its origin from forests
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“We have numerous opportunities to act, first of all by asking the global architecture and building community to immediately transform building design. New techniques are creating dramatic opportunities for huge savings in energy use and global warming pollution.“ (Al gore - NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2007)
INDEX
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SS LE N, E GE ID XI IOX EO D OR BON R CA M
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O M IEL O N GL AN IO GU ORD DAT GI UN FO
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“We plant trees and the trees then plant us since we belong to each other and we must coexist� (Joseph Beuys)
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RECYCLABLE
MORE OXIGEN, LESS CARBON DIOXIDE
ENERGY SAVING
Wood
ZERO IMPACT INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCE
GUGLIELMO GIORDANO FOUNDATION
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01 ZERO IMPACT INEXHAUSTIBLE RESOURCE
Wood is a special material, projected by Nature and moulded by
of oxygen production but most of all of carbon dioxide retaining
time, with the wise mastery and the patient dedication, basis of
and reduction even more efficiently then the ones grown wild.
every masterpiece.
A forest managed by putting into practice good forestry rules,
A material built respectfully by nature. Unlike other natural raw
while growing, not only continuously produces material of unique
materials, as stones, metals or fossil fuels, wood is a practically
characteristics as beauty and performance, but also performs
inexhaustible resource as it’s nourished only by solar energy and
an extraordinary role in preserving atmosphere quality, hydro-
rain falls.
geological regulation and environmental conservation.
Wood lifecycle is very slow, but absolutely ecological and
Wood usage, if applied following forestry regulations, unlike
renewable, if conducted according to a sustainable forestry
what happens for quarries or other natural resources, does not
management. A Forest cultivated, just alike an agricultural
produce any environmental wound hence this is a zero impact
soil, gives not only better products but also a significant social
activity.
contribution. Managed woods, with a controlled lifecycle that encourage wood usage and its regeneration, represent a systems not only capable
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02 More Oxygen, less Carbon Dioxide
A Tree during its vegetative phase, in order to increase the
mainly caused by fossil fuels burning is considered one of the
wood body, starts a series of exchange between the soil and the
main actors of the greenhouse effect and so of earth overheating
atmosphere so improving the environment.
and global climate change.
Roots absorb water and nourishing elements from the soil, a
The hopes of fighting this phenomenon lay upon the usage of eco
lymph that through the stem reaches the leaves and the green
sustainable wood. In fact, thanks to wood and biomasses growth,
parts where a remarkable transformation happens.
more then 2 millions tons of carbon are yearly absorbed, this
Photosynthesis is in fact a process that happens thanks to solar
amount is more or less equal to the 50% of total earth capability.
energy, this process makes the tree absorbing carbon dioxide
Wood doesn’t have just the carbon absorbency capability, most of
from the atmosphere and generate new oxygen.This also
all it retains it, as this element constitutes roughly the 50% of its
produces substances rich in energy, sugars and amides, that are
anhydrous mass.
the constitutive elements of wood: lignin and cellulose. Just
By this is very important that wood, apart from being generated
think that a vital tree, for each cubic meter produced, is capable
by nature, is also transformed into products: this is the only
of absorbing up to a ton of carbon dioxide while releasing 700
guarantee that allows us to have a well managed forestry
kilograms of oxygen.
environment and the certainty of raw material longer lifecycle.
Photosynthesis process, particularly intense in young specimen, deceases and quite totally ends, with tree ageing: by this is very important that a forest is cultivated and continuously renewed. Carbon dioxide excessive concentration in the atmosphere,
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03 Energy Saving
Wood usage as structural element, rather than flooring or
buildings, is consumed for domestic use, also on this matter,
panelling inside the house, has got unique energy saving
thanks to the great thermal insulation, wood is perfect in
qualities. Just to examine the overall aspects we need to take
contributing to thermal efficiency, cutting down consumptions
into consideration the entire product lifecycle.
whilst increasing the comfort.
Starting from the early stage we can state that wood, among
In summary, even at the end of its lifecycle, after being reused
all building and furniture materials, is surely the one that needs
and recycled, wood can express another energetic values
less energy consumption to be transformed. Just think that to
thanks to its high heating capabilities, in fact, thanks to modern
transform a ton of wood from raw to plywood only 1MWh is
cogeneration systems, wood scraps can generate simultaneously
needed, whereas to produce the same amount of steel the energy
important quantities of electrical and thermal energy, giving back
needed is ten times more and energy expenditure becomes 30
what absorbed during its growth from the sun and other natural
times bigger for aluminium. A research conducted in Sweden has
elements.
shown the differences between two identical houses, one was totally built in wood, the other made of concrete and steel. The result is that the energy saving achieved thanks to the usage of wood in the construction, if compared to the energy consumed for the other materials, has been equal to the energy consumed in 6 years of heating. On the other hand, more than two third of the energy used in 17
04 Recycling
The lifecycle of a wood product is one of the longest ever
transformed in cellulose fibres giving as result unexpected paper
seen. Once concluded its primary functions this product can be
or paperboard expressions.
reutilized in several ways.
A material that has got hundreds lives, that continuously
Here’s how an old girder can be reused giving origin to a superb
changes, being capable of lengthen over any presumable limit its
flooring, becoming some alluring furniture or covering clapboards,
usage, other then its extraordinary function of carbon retaining.
finding a new fencing shape or becoming a simple packing boards, but that’s not all. Stepping further there is also the recycle phase, wood product, regardless of any shape or function, once chopped, can be reshaped and reused to create every kind of building or furniture panels. Otherwise wood shaving can be
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05 Guglielmo Giordano Foundation
Listone Giordano embeds love for wood into its name.
Guglielmo Giordano Foundation is repository of this valuable
An innovative flooring, result of knowledge, genius and intuition
heritage pursuing his goal, through a wide array of activities
that reminds us of its inventor, a man that committed to wood
ranging from forestry to eco-sustainable wooden resources
studies and research his whole life.
management, from university grants to arts and events
Professor Guglielmo Giordano, researcher and author of vital
sponsorship and last but not least workshops and events focusing
scientific studies, has been one of the most outstanding
on the application of wood in arts, architecture and design.
scientists in wood technologies. A person of high intellectual value who combined and harmonized the rigorous scientist soul with the most exquisite artist’s sensitivity: fascinated by natural beauty and arts expressions.
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FRANCE: FORESTRY MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
ITALY: THE GREEN-HEARTED LABORATORY
Forestry Management
SOUTH AMERICA: NEW FORESTRY FRONTIER
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01 FRANCE: FORESTRY MANAGEMENT SCHOOL
Listone Giordano is the offspring of centuries of wood culture.
monks who maintained and supervised it through the centuries.
Knowledge, passion and respect of this noble material are rooted
Nowadays the same ancient rules protect the forest health by
in Burgundy, where Listone Giordano is sourcing the best raw
planning trees lifecycle, controlling the correct usage of wood
materials since 1950.
and guaranteeing progressive acreage increase.
France boasts international reputation as the “model” country for
A meaningful figure that accounts for more than hundred words:
sustainable and renewable forestry management, that preserves
a correct and responsible handing down from a generation to the
enormous forestry resources: more than 14 millions productive
next of this heritage, a gaze at the future and a strict observation
acres, on which every tree is numbered, cultivated, hacked up,
of the rules, over the past century the French forest has doubled
hence systematically replaced with a new one respecting ancient
in surface and tripled the amount of volume of raw material.
regulations. France forestry management has got deep roots: the first rumours dates back to the Middle age, when liege lords and monastery orders became keepers of this important asset; as the Cîteaux forest, in Burgundy, planted around a.d. 1000 by the Trappist
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02 ITALY: THE GREEN-HEARTED LABORATORY
Listone Giordano has recently implemented in Umbria, the green
This programme goes beyond a symbolic meaning, stating better
heart of Italy, the most important Italian re-implantation of
than thousands words or vague ecological aspirations, the well
broadleaf forest by planting over 25.000 new oak plants.
documented hands-on approach that characterize the actions
The project that spreads out on more than 150 acres, obtained,
undertaken by Listone Giordano for sustainable development and
first in Italy, the international FSC certification that guarantees
environmental protection.
a forestry management that strictly follows the most up-dated
The experience gained thanks to the Città della Pieve project,
criteria of eco and social sustainability.
under the guidance of the Guglielmo Giordano’s Foundation, and
Città della Pieve forest, that has scheduled a 150 years tree
with the contribution of renowned universities, represents a
lifecycle, represents the real evidence that only long term
good practice pattern for the Italian forestry and a vital research
visions, respectful of biological rhythm and nature time flow, can
laboratory for the improvement of new forestry techniques and
guarantee an environmentally safe future.
the implementation of international eco-certification projects.
The project is going to restore, in the territory that gave birth to the painter Perugino, the landscape and the natural beauty that the great renaissance painter, master of Raffaello, made eternal in its paintings.
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03 SOUTH AMERICA: THE NEW FORESTRY BOUNDARY
Listone Giordano has initiated years ago a project focusing on
where to develop international cooperation projects aimed at
a conscious and respectful usage of the forestry resources,
sustainable certification of tropical wood species.
the outcome of this process are FSC and PEFC certifications
And so in the Tarja district (Bolivia) and in the Biosfera reserve
of the chain of guardianship. These certificates guarantee the
(Argentina), Listone Giordano, together with local authorities
control of the provenance of the raw material and its traceability
and local communities, has started a significant developing plan
throughout the entire production process.
aimed at numerating and manage, in a sustainable way, more
A similar project, that granted the certification to all European
than 50.000 acres.
wood species, has now expanded in order to apply the same
Due to investments in directly owned and managed forests and
commitment and principles to tropical wood species. Listone
specialized human resources employment, Listone Giordano
Giordano decided to bring its know-how and expertise in forestry
is nowadays one of the bigger players in the FSC certification
management acquired in France in more than half a century of
process in South America.
activity and consolidated in Italy thanks to CittĂ della Pieve in developing countries that provide favourable conditions for long term investments in the field of sustainability. Listone Giordano has find out in South America, particularly focusing on Bolivia and Argentina, the most relevant areas
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GIORDANO’S TECHNOLOGY, AN ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY INNOVATION
ZERO SOLVENTS
Eco- Sustainable Technology
NO EMISSIONS
formaldehyde-FREE 31
PREMIUM QUALITY TOP-LAYER
BIRCH SUPPORT
01 GIORDANO’s TECHNOLOGY, AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INNOVATION
Looking carefully at wooden floor we can find the coexistence of
with the highest technical performances. The result is a unique
two different mechanical attitudes: the top layer, which is directly
wooden floor featuring large dimensional boards and perfect in-
exposed to humidity variations, is subject to movement; the bottom
deformability.
layer, firmly adheres to the subfloor. Traditional solid planks as well
As only witty intuitions can be, technical innovation is linked to a
feature a support which is supposed to accomplish this task though
rational usage of natural resources, as a matter of fact the wood
this kind of support is unsuitable and not specifically engineered
species used in the manufacturing process of Listone Giordano’s
to fulfil this function. This determines a higher floor instability and
support are the ones of rapid growth such as birch, combining
tendency to deform. The birch multilayer plywood support patented
unrivalled mechanical characteristics with the best environmental
by Listone Giordano, on the other hand, is specifically engineered
sustainability and forestry regeneration efficiency.
with a cross-ply construction that perfectly solves the problem of stability combining the stunning beauty of wide and long planks
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02 Zero solvents
Listone Giordano pays constant attention to each phase of
treatments, are made of a special ultraviolet catalyzed finishing.
the manufacturing process and to all raw materials required
This process- unlike what happens in solvent or water finishing-
to manufacture wooden floors. By these means, all the
gives a 100% dry residue product, that totally eliminates toxic
complementary products used are absolutely ecologic, non-
substances emissions in the atmosphere. This responsible choice
toxic, and odourless. The specific awareness characterizing the
positively contributes to the environment and to the health of both
production process becomes even more important when related to
our employees engaged in the manufacturing of the product and of
varnishing.
the customers that choose our products, as life companion, in the
Natif natural oil varnishing treatment is made, as of tradition, by
decoration of their homes.
applying essential oils that deeply permeates the fibers, whilst protecting the wood. Xplus and NaturPlus, Listone Giordano’s high resistance
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03 formaldehyde-FREE
Several commercial products as paper, beauty products,
concentrations if harmful or uncontrolled products have been
medicines, fabrics, paints and glues contain Formaldehyde that
used.
is an extremely volatile organic compound and may cause, after
Listone Giordano carries out strict controls on formaldehyde
a long exposure to high concentration, harmful effects on the
emissions both on raw materials and finished products and its
respiratory system or generally on health.
wooden floors are tested and certified with values ten times
This compound is broadly utilized in wood industry and generally
lower then the ones set by the most severe EU regulation.
in all construction materials. By this during refurbishing, or general house renovation, formaldehyde can reach high
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04 NO EMISSIONS
Exposure to ionizing radiation, of cosmic or earth origin is a
known as domestic radioactivity, a parameter that is often
constant phenomena in nature, in fact even in a wide open and
neglected, because of the lack of specific laws that rule this
unpolluted environment is detectable a minimum radioactivity
subject. For this reason Listone Giordano has adopted a self-
quantity.
regulation that consists in strict controls and restrictive limits of
By the way radioactivity levels are harmful beyond a given rate.
radioactive emissions, both for raw materials and finished
These rates are frequently detachable also on construction
products.
materials and home products: this phenomenon is commonly
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A FIRM EMBEDDED IN NATURE
RESPECT HUMAN BEING
ENERGY SAVING
Lifecycle
COnSTANT WARMTH
A LONG LIFE
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01 A LONG LIFE
Wood is a material that, if well crafted and maintained,
This characteristic allows the product to last more than 100 years
guarantees a long lasting life. As clearly demonstrated by
making Listone Giordano one of the longest lifecycle product in
beautiful ceilings, floors or antiques that after centuries
home furnishings. We also need to take into consideration that
embellish our cultural and historic heritage.
a high-end wooden floor is not subjected to trends and fashion
Naturally a long lasting product is also ecological as, maintaining
maintaining its beauty unchanged overtime, on the contrary,
its function unchanged, doesn’t need to be replaced with the
the passing of time increases its charm. Really a long term
consequential resources expenditure needed to produce the new
investment, also for the planet.
one and get rid off the old one. With its 5mms thickness, Listone Giordano’s upper layer can be sanded, and so it can be renewed several times.
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02 COnSTANT WARMTH
Wood is a great thermal insulator. A feature that comes from
a limited thickness, it’s the perfect match with modern floor
the extraordinary alveolar cellular composition, in accordance
heating. This peculiarity, combined with glued fitting, allows
with the awesome nature’s project. For its characteristic it
perfect heat diffusion by optimizing heating efficiency.
has been appreciated as covering since ages, able to increase heating efficiency by reducing heat lost. At the same time, whilst insulating buildings, Listone Giordano, thanks to its technical characteristics that ensures perfect dimensional stability in
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03 A Firm embedded in nature
Listone Giordano comes to life in the heart of Umbria, in a plant
attention has been paid to energy saving and production waste
surrounded by a unique landscape where it perfectly fits the
materials recycling. Listone Giordano plants have been certified,
surroundings.
amongst the firsts, ISO 14001 to comply to, this demonstrates a
Respect of the atmosphere, the soil, protect water clarity and
tangible commitment to pollution reduction and environmental
the landscape are just a few of the aims that have driven our
impact management.
engineering process since the very beginning, a particular
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04 Respect of HUMAN BEING
Respecting nature and mankind. These are the principles that
As demonstration of attention on these matters, Listone Giordano
inspire Listone Giordano’s philosophy and action.
has been one of the first company to be granted OHSAS 18001, a
The respect of human beings follows two complementary paths:
certification that testifies an attentive management of workers’
by guaranteeing worker’s health and safety in the workplace and
safety and health conditions.
with the result of a safe and sound product for the end users. These warranties albeit different are strictly connected. .
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05 Energy saving
Reducing environmental impact is a commitment that rules
energy saving thanks to several solutions aimed both at wastes
Listone Giordano’s choices within the whole productive processes
economizing and recycling. Plants are conceived and engineered
since its very beginning.
to reduce as much as possible the usage of fossil fuels, as
Using wood as raw material for flooring and panelling is an
demonstrated by thermal power plants fed by biomasses or by
important asset as wood is, amongst the others, one of the
special suction system, tanks farm and sawdust compression for
most ecological product as allows considerable energy saving in
the production of wood pellets.
the transformation process of raw material. Moreover it keeps helping the environment even after being fitted thanks to its thermal efficiency. Beside these characteristics, Listone Giordano is also sensitive to
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FSC Certification of the chain of custody that guarantees the provenance from forests managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.
PEFC Certification of the chain of custody that guarantees the provenance of products from forests managed in an ecologically sustainable manner.
CERTIFICATIONS:
Formaldehyde Listone Giordano fully complies to the class E1 regulation, which is amongst the strictest European regulations (UNI EN 14342).
Solvent-free No emission of solvents, as resulting from the analyses conducted on Listone Giordano by the SERECO BIOTEST chemical laboratory.
CE Certification Listone Giordano strictly complies to all CE rules.
OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management System Conformance Certification.
ISO14001 Environmental Management System Certification.
ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification.
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MATERIA
NATURA
AMBIENTE
STORIA
MATERIAL/NATURE/ENVIRONMENT/WARMTH
This Publication has been realized by Margaritelli SpA. Images: bcpt associati perugia art direction: Marco Tortoioli Ricci graphics: Francesco Gubbiotti
MIRALDUOLO, PERUGIA, ITALIA FEBRUARY 2010 THIRD EDITION
Margaritelli SpA Divisione legno per la casa fraz. Miralduolo 06089 Torgiano (PG) - Italia tel. +39 075 988 681 fax +39 075 988 9043 www.listonegiordano.com info@listonegiordano.com
Listone Giordano is a brand of Margaritelli Group
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