SOL S.p.A.
Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Reporting Period: 2018
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental protection
- Health and safety
- Employee development
- Customer satisfaction
- Balanced development
Environmental Achievements
- 47,663t CO2 equivalent avoided thanks to on-site plants
- 35,091t CO2 equivalent avoided thanks to the production of renewable energy
- Increased number of ISO 14001 certified units to 23
- CO2 recovery plant in Bulgaria implemented
Social Achievements
- Launched SOL Youth Academy for employee skill development
- Over 64,500 training hours provided (16h per employee)
- 77% of Group companies achieved the “zero accidents” goal
- Significant increase in number of employees (+6% excluding acquisitions)
- 91% of employees have permanent contracts
- EIGA award to SOL Nederland for best results in reducing injury rate
Governance Achievements
- Complete review of data protection policy in light of GDPR
- Continued use of the SOL Academy for knowledge transfer and best practice sharing
- Adoption of Google Operating System Suite to improve internal communication
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, ISO 22000, ISO 14001, ISO 13485
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche SpA (limited review)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Dry ice cleaning technology (Cryos)
- On-site oxygen production (VSA unit in Slovenia)
Awards & Recognition
- EIGA award to SOL Nederland
Reporting Period: 2019
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental Protection
- Safety
- Customer Satisfaction
- Human Resources Development
- Ethical Behavior
Environmental Achievements
- Electricity produced from renewable sources (hydroelectric plants) equaled 90 GWh, corresponding to 15% of the Group’s energy consumption.
- 87,840 tonnes CO2 equivalent avoided thanks to the production of energy from renewable sources.
- 48,633 tonnes CO2 equivalent avoided thanks to the creation of on-site plants.
- Recovered 29,577 tonnes of CO2 equivalent from other processes.
Social Achievements
- Successfully carried out the SOL YOUth Academy project aimed at young talents.
- Laid the organizational basis for the international version of the SOL Youth Academy.
- Provided funding for specialization and qualifying study courses.
- Developed the new SOLConnect corporate intranet.
- Launched a “Safety Fridays” training project in Italy for safety professionals.
Governance Achievements
- Adopted a Code of Ethics in 2006 (reviewed in 2017).
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Not disclosed
Mitigation Strategies
- Not disclosed
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: Not disclosed
Responsible Procurement
- Not disclosed
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Not disclosed
Opportunities
- Not disclosed
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: 127 ISO 9001, 75 OHSAS 18001/ISO 45001, 26 ISO 22000, 24 ISO 14001, 18 ISO 13485
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche SpA (limited review)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- Not disclosed
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2021
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic Responsibility and Governance
- Product Responsibility
- Social Responsibility and Human Resources
- Environmental Responsibility
Environmental Achievements
- Avoided 29,755 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions through renewable energy production.
- Avoided 49,044 tonnes of CO2e emissions through on-site plants.
- Recovered 89,963 tonnes of CO2 from bioethanol.
Social Achievements
- Launched the "Little Big Innovations" project, gathering over 200 sustainability ideas.
- Increased employee count by 11% (5% net of scope change).
- 92% of employees have permanent contracts.
- Achieved "Zero Injuries" goal in 89% of companies.
Governance Achievements
- Adopted the new Corporate Governance Code for Italian listed companies.
- Developed its first Sustainability Plan.
- Implemented a new Board Regulation and updated the Procedure relating to related parties.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Increased electricity costs (5-6 times higher by year-end).
- Slow recovery of prescriptions for new patients in home care due to the pandemic.
- Supply chain disruptions for medical equipment due to the war in Ukraine.
Mitigation Strategies
- Attempted to pass on higher production costs to sales prices.
- Implemented measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (increasing renewable energy, using low-emission vehicles).
- Strengthened customer offer of sustainable products/services (BioCO2, LNG, BioLNG).
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 126 audits in 2021 (90% of critical suppliers audited for environmental and social sustainability)
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier evaluation process based on risk analysis.
- Suppliers required to respect the Group Code of Ethics and safety/environment policies.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Not disclosed
Transition Risks
- Customers' requests concerning supply chain sustainability.
- Increase in raw material costs (electricity).
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services (BioCO2, LNG, BioLNG).
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards (In accordance - Core)
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, EMAS
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche S.p.A. (Limited assurance)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- BioCO2, BioLNG
Awards & Recognition
- Responsible Care 2021 Award
- Special mention at EIGA Safety Innovation Awards
- Alberto Falck Family Business 2021 Award
Reporting Period: 2022
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Environmental protection
- Development of human resources
- Ethical behaviour
- Safety
- Customer satisfaction
- Balanced development
Environmental Achievements
- 28,824 ton CO2 equivalent avoided for the production of energy from renewable sources
- 43,760 ton CO2 equivalent avoided thanks to the construction of on-site plants
- 153,646 ton CO2 recovered from other processes, purified, and reintroduced on the market
- Achieved a 'B' rating from the CDP
Social Achievements
- Launched the 'SOL Group Woman Development Program'
- Implemented a project to train young welding technicians in Mozambique
- Implemented the idea of replacing plastic film valve covers with more sustainable and recyclable products
- Continued the 'safety campaign' programme, aiming for zero accidents
- Cooperated with the UNHCR to help refugees from war-torn countries
Governance Achievements
- Revised and implemented the Antitrust Compliance Programme
- Completed training activity for all Italian staff on Regulation 231/2001 and on the specific Model and Code of Ethics
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Enormous increase in the cost of electricity
- Supply chain disruptions
- Climate change risks (transitional and physical)
- Social risks related to compliance with regulations, supply chain, market, and human rights
- Environmental risks related to compliance with regulations
- Employee health and safety risks
- Risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations (including bribery and corruption)
Mitigation Strategies
- Improved energy efficiency
- Developed alternative sourcing strategies
- Strengthened customer offer of sustainable products/services (BioCO2, LNG, BioLNG)
- Implemented measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Supported customers in improving the sustainability of their processes
- Implemented certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, ISO 22000)
- Implemented a risk assessment methodology
- Implemented actions to address and minimize risks
- Implemented actions to seize opportunities
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 87 (2022)
Responsible Procurement
- Compliance with the Group Code of Ethics
- Supplier evaluation process
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Drought
- Water stress
Transition Risks
- Changes in market demand
- Technological evolution
- Regulatory evolution
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, EMAS
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche Spa (Limited Assurance)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- BioCO2
- LNG
- BioLNG
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed
Reporting Period: 2023
Environmental Metrics
ESG Focus Areas
- Economic responsibility and governance
- Environmental responsibility
- Social responsibility and human resources
Environmental Achievements
- 28,786 tonnes of CO2 equivalent avoided through renewable energy production.
- 43,950 tonnes of CO2 equivalent avoided through on-site plants.
- 146,954 tonnes of CO2 recovered and reintroduced to the market.
- ISCC Plus certification obtained for the CO2 production chain in Wanze, Belgium.
Social Achievements
- Launched the 'SOL Group Women Development Programme'.
- Disseminated the 'Diversity and Inclusion Manifesto'.
- Implemented a training project in Mozambique ('Schooling for a better world').
- Supported the Emilia Romagna region after adverse weather conditions.
Governance Achievements
- Established an Internal Control, Risk and Sustainability Committee (operational from January 1, 2024).
- Approved a new Anti-Corruption Code.
- Approved a Whistleblowing Procedure.
Climate Goals & Targets
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
- Not disclosed
Environmental Challenges
- Geopolitical tensions impacting raw material costs (especially energy).
- Inflationary pressures and rising interest rates.
- Slowdown in the world economy, particularly in Europe.
- Margin erosion due to fixed prices in contracts with Health Systems.
Mitigation Strategies
- Adaptation to challenging environment.
- New partnerships and sales actions to counteract cost increases.
- Targeted actions to counteract margin erosion.
- Investments in new air separation units and upgrades to existing plants.
Supply Chain Management
Supplier Audits: 78 audits/year
Responsible Procurement
- Supplier Code of Ethics; Ecovadis assessment.
Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities
Physical Risks
- Drought and water stress
Transition Risks
- Regulatory changes; market shifts.
Opportunities
- Development of energy-efficient products and services.
Reporting Standards
Frameworks Used: GRI Standards
Certifications: ISO 9001, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 13485, ISO 27001, ISO 22000, ISCC Plus
Third-party Assurance: Deloitte & Touche S.p.A. (Limited assurance)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Not disclosed
Not disclosed
Sustainable Products & Innovation
- BioCO2, BioLNG, hydrogen, oxy-fuel solutions.
Awards & Recognition
- Not disclosed