Athena and the environment: our commitment to sustainability

"We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."

– Wendell Berry

Imagine walking among young, lush trees planted in an area that was devastated until recently. This is the essence of WOWnature, one of the first projects Athena decided to undertake with the goal of leaving a better world for future generations.

However, our mission is not limited to giving back to the region that hosts us, but we aim to create a workplace where awareness and concrete action for the protection of the Planet are an integral part of our corporate culture.

The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

Our commitment is based on the solid foundation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, it represents a global action plan to promote human prosperity and protect the environment we live in. With its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Agenda aims to combat poverty, reduce inequality, and tackle climate change by 2030. The contribution we continue to make through various actions and initiatives is supported by several of these goals:

• Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being – We promote the health and well-being of our employees through training and awareness programs.
• Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – We invest in renewable energy sources, such as our photovoltaic plant, to reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy use.
• Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – We create safe and more than decent jobs, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
• Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – We continuously innovate our production processes to improve their efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – We implement sustainable production practices and encourage our employees and partners to do the same.
• Goal 15: Life on Land – We participate in reforestation and biodiversity conservation initiatives, such as the WOWnature project.

Through these efforts, Athena not only contributes to achieving the SDGs, but we also demonstrate our long-term commitment to a more sustainable and responsible future.

Click here to find out more about the Athena 2023 CSR report!

The CSRD Regulation

Commitment alone may not be enough, which is why the European Union has been laying the regulatory groundwork for several years to enable development that respects the Environment and People. Thus, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) was born, a Directive that represents a crucial turning point for companies operating in Europe and the world. This requires transparent reporting of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance and represents not only a regulatory obligation for Athena but an opportunity to highlight our commitment to Sustainability.

Athena's First Sustainability Report

As proof of this, starting in January 2026 (based on 2025 data), we will publish our first Sustainability Report, as required by the CSRD. This will offer a detailed overview of our Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives, highlighting the progress made and future goals. Transparency and honesty will be at the core of our approach, with the aim of engaging and informing all our Stakeholders.

In this regulatory and ideological context, we at Athena are committed to preventing pollution and spreading awareness of environmental issues among all Employees and Collaborators. Our Environmental Management System, certified ISO 14001:2015, is the beating heart of our organizational approach. But we do not stop there. Within our company, we promote an eco-friendly lifestyle, encouraging a culture of energy saving and awareness of the value of natural resources.

Visit the Athena Sustainability section on the athena.eu website now!

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

One of the most significant projects undertaken by Athena is the expansion of the photovoltaic plant, in operation since 2009 and a flagship of our Organization. A substantial investment, started in September 2022, which will lead to almost a doubling of the current power, as well as significant environmental and economic benefits. The new plant will help further reduce CO2 emissions by 197 tons per year, decreasing our ecological footprint and strengthening our commitment to Sustainability. The payback of the investment is estimated at just four years, demonstrating the effectiveness and economic convenience of transitioning to renewable energy sources. Additionally, 20% of the electricity we purchase comes from certified renewable sources, further demonstrating our dedication to the use of clean energy.

In parallel to the enhancement of the photovoltaic plant, Athena has made a significant investment in replacing heat pumps. Also in 2022, we installed new heating and cooling systems in our HQ offices, aiming to increase energy efficiency. This intervention led to a 40% reduction in electricity consumption and a further reduction in CO2 emissions of 37 tons per year.

WOWnature Project with Etifor

The project arose from the desire of our Vice President to collaborate with the team from Etifor, a spin-off of the University of Padua, with whom from 2023 we embarked on a journey to plant a tree for every Athena Employee in the World. 700 Red Firs, Beeches, and Larches were planted in the first two years of collaboration, actively contributing to the rebirth of the forests and biodiversity in the area of Enego (VI), part of the Asiago Plateau heavily devastated by the Vaia storm in 2018.

From the mountains to the plains. Looking to the future, we are already excited for the next appointment. The latest planting will feature not the mountainous scenery of Enego, but a hidden gem of the Venetian plain. It will be the Basse of the Brenta River, near Cartigliano (VI), serving as a Home for another 350 trees and hedges from 2025. This area is particularly strategic as it borders the industrial zone of Cartigliano (VI), and the intervention by the WOWnature team will serve as a buffer with the factories and improve the quality of air and water.

Why WOWnature

We chose to join WOWnature for several reasons. Firstly, we wanted to give back to the territory that hosts us, contributing to the rehabilitation of damaged and pollution-risk areas.

Moreover, the project is perfectly aligned with our Corporate Values, which include respect for the environment and social responsibility.

Lastly, we desire to leave a better world for future generations, and we believe that initiatives like these are crucial for achieving this goal.

Athena Academy: the platform for our People

Since the establishment of our first plant in 1973, the People who make up the great Athena family have been the foundation of its development and subsequent success. And it is precisely from and for these People that Athena Academy was born, a training platform designed to create a shared corporate culture, covering all divisions and a wide range of topics. Among the available content, Employees can find useful resources ranging from good communication practices to corporate ethical principles and methodologies for continuous improvement.

The platform is also designed for new hires, allowing them to become autonomous in learning common procedures. A key aspect that is gaining increasing importance among the topics addressed by Athena Academy is the awareness of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It comprises the set of policies, behaviors, and responsible activities that a company adopts both internally and externally in favor of the social and environmental context. We regularly upload CSR-themed content to inform and engage employees and their families, promoting sustainable practices and greater awareness of the value of natural resources. Through these training paths, Athena Academy not only facilitates the integration of new team members but also cultivates a more responsible and environmentally conscious workplace.

Research and Development

Another fundamental pillar of Athena's sustainability strategy is represented by partnerships with Universities and Research Centers. These partnerships allow us to approach the world of new energy sources and build a crucial network of contacts for our development. Benefits of Collaborations These collaborations offer us numerous advantages, including:

• Access to new technologies: Through our partnerships, we can gain knowledge about production technologies and innovative materials that until now were not managed at Athena.
• Testing and certification: The ability to manage testing and certification for various components allows us to expand their use in new sectors.
• Development of innovative materials: Collaborations allow us to follow the development of potentially very attractive materials, expanding our skills and offering cutting-edge solutions to our customers.

From initiatives for energy efficiency and emission reduction to reforestation projects and the promotion of an eco-conscious corporate culture. All these elements contribute to achieving a single great goal: to make our contribution for a more responsible future. Every step taken not only improves the efficiency of our production processes but also strengthens our duty towards the environment and local communities.

Looking ahead, we will continue to innovate and seek new solutions to reduce environmental impact, demonstrating that a responsible and sustainable industry is not only possible but essential. Our commitment to sustainability is a continuous journey, fueled by the belief that every action, big or small, can make a difference for our planet and future generations.