Environmental Responsibility
Energy resourcesand emissions management
Over the years, attention to environmental issues has increased in parallel with the alteration of our Planet’s natural balances and awareness of climate change. As human activity plays a major role in altering global ecological balances, it is essential for companies to understand the impacts of their operations and take preventive measures to reduce damage to the Planet. Therefore, companies must change their business models toward a circular economy, promoting resource recovery and reuse.
Olimpias has alwaysstood out not only for the qualityof its products, but also for its commitment to environmental issues.
To concretize these principles, since 2009 the company has embarked on a virtuous path of Energy Management with the aim of increasing energy efficiency and activating the production of electricity from high-efficiency cogeneration (CAR) and photovoltaics, finding a positive impact on the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Energy and Environmental Policy
In 2021, Olimpias Group drafted an “Energy Policy” document for its production sites, while in July 2022 the Company obtained the ISO 50001:2018 certification.
The adoption of the “Energy Policy” and the “Management System” certified according to the ISO 50001:2018 standard have allowed Olimpias to monitor in a structured way the trend of energy consumption through the use and analysis of the Energy Performance Indexes (EnPI). The latter promptly highlight any drifts in consumption based on company variables and allow the continuous implementation of the improvement of energy efficiency, reducing waste with a direct and indirect impact on CO2 emissions.
The implementation of the “EnergyPolicy” and the “Energy Management System” is entrusted to the Management System Manager supported by the members of the Energy Management Team of each production site. Energy needs are also constantly monitored through the creation and sharing of detailed reports.
Actions taken to reduceenergy consumption
Replacement of old systems and equipment with
new ones with greater energy efficiency, such as the installation of new energy-recovery steam generators, refurbishment of compressed air production plants with new high-efficiency systems,production systems with heat waste recovery and installation of LED lighting systems.
The increasein petrol fuel consumption is due to the introduction of plug-in hybrid vehicles into the car fleet to replace the previous Diesel-powered ones.
Considering natural gas, the lower share destined for cogeneration for self-consumption is subordinate to therevamping of the Soave plant, an operationcompleted in September2023. Similarly, the decrease in industrial consumption is due to the reduction in production volumes and the implementation of energy efficiency measures of the steam generator at the Travesioplant.
The increasein renewable energyconsumption and production is the resultof the entry into operation of the new Prato-Lazzeretto plant in August 2023 and the annual contribution of the Travesio plant, unlike the seven months of 2022.
Scope 1
Scope 1 includes “direct” emissions, relating to Olimpias’ own or controlled activities, which include all greenhouse gas emissions generated directly by the Company, deriving from fossil fuel combustion plants used to operate the plants and from the company car fleet.
Scope 2
Scope 2 includes “indirect” emissions due to the production of electricity, steam or heat produced by third parties and in places other than those of use, however attributable to the Company as the end user. The latter can be calculated according to a market- based approach, which provides an estimate of emissions based on the emission factors associated with electricity deriving from suppliers chosen by the organization or, vice versa, through the location-based approach, which provides an estimate of emissions through the use of emission factors relating to the national energy mix.
There is a clear drop in emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2; in particular, direct emissions (Scope 1) decrease by 46% between 2022 and 2023, following a slight drop in production in the Fabrics division and the activation of energy efficiency projects for heat recovery.
Water and waste management
In the textile industry, careful and conscious management of water is of crucial importance. Optimizing water use can drastically reduce waste, making production processes more efficient. This not only leads to savings on operating costs,but also contributes to improving the environmental sustainability of the Company. Implementing sustainable water management practices also helps to preserve water resources, especially in some areas with water stress, reducing the ecological impact of the Company on the territory and promoting more responsible and respectful production.
Olimpias constantly monitors the use and management of water through quantitative and qualitative analyses to meet existing regulatory requirements.
As part of a broader environmental protection program, the Company performs monthly measurements on the quantity and periodic analyses on the quality of authorized discharges. Olimpias also promotes constant interaction with the Authorities responsible for authorizations and shared and verified controls for each production site.
The data reported show a generalized drop in withdrawals between the years 2022 and 2023, in line with the drop in production seen previously. To evaluate the areas with water stress,Olimpias relies on specific databasesof the WRI and the WWF. In particular, the production units of Prato Palli, Prato Lazzeretto and Pignataro Maggiore are in areas with water stress (HIGH for both WRI and WWF).
With a view to innovation and sustainability, Olimpias aims to recover and treat wastewater to reintegrate it into the production cycle. This approach allows to significantly reduce overall water consumption, promoting an even more responsible management of water resources and contributing to their long-term conservation.
Sustainable materials
In the contextof the ecological transition, the choice of materials represents a crucial aspect for a textile company. The use of ecological fibers and low environmental impact production processes not only reduces pollution and the consumption of natural resources, but also responds to the growing consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products. Investing in sustainable materials therefore allows the Company to align with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and to anticipate market trends, positioning itself as a leader in the sector.
