Case study · Industry

Environmental assessment and prioritization on a global scale

Brembo prioritized 49 sites across 3 continents based on the ecological sensitivity of surrounding territories, using satellite analysis and the XNatura Environmental Platform, to guide actions along the entire value chain.

Client: Brembo
Sector: Industry

Braking systems: between supply chain dependencies and environmental impacts

The production of high-performance braking systems depends on raw materials such as cast iron, aluminium, steel and carbon-ceramic composites, subject to price volatility and geopolitical risks. Foundry processes require high energy and water consumption. Impacts include CO₂ and particulate emissions from smelting processes, metallic waste generation and water consumption. Downstream, the wear of discs and pads releases fine particles, contributing to non-exhaust particulate pollution, a central topic in European regulation.

The challenge

Prioritizing 49 sites across 3 continents

Brembo needed a prioritisation system for ecological sensitivity of territories surrounding the 49 total sites. A compliant reporting system was needed for CSRD, TNFD and GBF, with biodiversity indicators such as MSA to translate data into mitigation actions.

What we did

Satellite assessment on a global scale

XNatura structured the project on three levels: satellite assessment, site prioritisation and strategic consulting activity.

In the field

How we did it

From analysis to global prioritization

A project that, through satellite analysis, enabled the prioritization of 49 sites distributed across 3 continents based on the ecological sensitivity of the territory in which they operate.

01Remote Sensing across 49 global sitesIn 2025, Brembo launched a satellite analysis of 49 sites through Remote Sensing. Satellite images, processed with artificial intelligence algorithms, provided an overview of the ecological sensitivity of the territory surrounding each site: land cover classification, MSA index calculation, pollinator abundance (PA) and identification of protected areas within 25 km of the sites, covering 24 owned facilities and 25 supply chain sites across 3 continents (Europe, Americas and Asia).
02Site classification by territorial ecological sensitivityBased on the analysis results, the 49 sites were classified according to the ecological sensitivity of the territory in which they operate. The analysis cross-referenced MSA indices, PA and proximity to protected areas to produce a priority matrix identifying territories with the highest ecological sensitivity.
03Detailed reports and centralized dashboardAll data flows into the XNatura Environmental Platform, where Brembo can view biodiversity KPIs, climate risks, hydrogeological risks, and the dependency matrix for each site. The platform produces reports compliant with CSRD requirements and the TNFD framework, translating data into concrete mitigation actions along the entire value chain.
04From prioritization to concrete interventionsThe developed priority matrix has been integrated with the identification of strategic actions for mitigating the ecological risk of Brembo's site portfolio and its supply chain. The goal of the action framework is to transform prioritization into an operational mitigation and continuous improvement strategy.

What the data says

From analysis to prioritization

The satellite analysis produced a complete map of the ecological sensitivity of the territory surrounding the 49 sites across 3 continents, with MSA indices ranging from 6.2% to 91% in control areas. The analysis identified the sites operating in territories with high proximity to protected areas, providing Brembo with a quantitative prioritization for defining an intervention strategy.

Monitoring in action

Some of the key sections of the XNatura Environmental Platform.

Site visualizationInteractive map of 49 global sites with environmental indicators, MSA index, and biodiversity status for each location.

Impact and dependency matrixMapping of 6 production processes with the ENCORE matrix: ecosystem dependencies and severity classification for each site.

Site prioritizationClassification of 49 sites based on the ecological sensitivity of surrounding territory: MSA, protected areas, and climate risks.

Biodiversity statusSite biodiversity indices: Mean Species Abundance, natural habitat coverage, proximity to protected areas, and Key Biodiversity Areas.

The platform

Access the XNatura Environmental Platform

The platform Brembo uses to analyze the ecological sensitivity of the territory surrounding its 49 sites across 3 continents.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What was the environmental challenge at Brembo?

Braking systems: between supply chain dependencies and environmental impacts. The production of high-performance braking systems depends on raw materials such as cast iron, aluminium, steel and carbon-ceramic composites, subject to price volatility and geopolitical risks. Foundry processes require high energy and water consumption. Impacts include CO₂ and particulate emissions from smelting processes, metallic waste generation and water consumption. Downstream, the wear of discs and pads releases fine particles, contributing to non-exhaust particulate pollution, a central topic in European regulation.

What method did XNatura use at Brembo?

A project that, through satellite analysis, enabled the prioritization of 49 sites distributed across 3 continents based on the ecological sensitivity of the territory in which they operate.

What data came out of the Brembo project?

What access does Brembo have to the XNatura platform now?

The platform Brembo uses to analyze the ecological sensitivity of the territory surrounding its 49 sites across 3 continents.

Want to prioritize the environmental risks of your production sites?

XNatura supports industrial companies in prioritizing their sites on a global scale, assessing the ecological sensitivity of surrounding territories with satellite analysis, impact and dependency matrix, and a platform compliant with the main reporting standards, from CSRD to TNFD.

Want to prioritize the environmental risks of your production sites?

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