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Hera Group unveils FIB3R, a pioneering plant that regenerates carbon fibre

11/03/2025

Hera Group unveils FIB3R, a pioneering plant that regenerates carbon fibre

Innovation and performance define the first plant of this kind in Europe to operate on an industrial scale, built in Imola to recycle carbon fibre composites while reducing environmental impact. Here, end-of-life waste goes in and regenerated carbon fibre comes out, as light and strong as virgin fibre, ready to be reused in a potentially infinite cycle in various strategic Made in Italy sectors. At present, the Group’s plant is expected to produce 160 tonnes of recycled carbon fibre each year, with a 75% energy saving compared to virgin fibre

The Hera Group is moving swiftly towards the circular economy of the future and has inaugurated, in Imola (Bologna), at the heart of the country’s Motor Valley, the first plant of its kind in Europe, capable of regenerating carbon fibre on an industrial scale. It is called FIB3R, a name that reflects the 3 R's that stand at the basis of the project: recover, reduce, reuse. Carbon fibre is thus recovered and reused, reducing the use of virgin fibre and therefore the environmental impact that would be required to produce it.

There is one important competitive advantage: the fibre regenerated from FIB3R retains the virgin fibre’s characteristic lightness and high strength, guaranteeing - through a state-of-the-art pyrogasification process - that the regenerated product is ready to be reused, rewoven and/or impregnated, for the high-performance purposes for which this type of material is intended. The number of industrial sectors interested in these outstanding features is increasing, ranging from automotive to aerospace, nautical, furniture, textiles and fashion in the broadest sense, only to give a few examples.

The Hera Group’s commitment to advancing the ecological transition, as well as the expected increase in demand for carbon fibre over the next few years, have led it to anticipate this megatrend, accepting the challenge of applying it to this material as well, on an industrial scale. This will reinforce the virtuous path towards the circular economy that has been the basis of its strategy for years, combining economic growth with environmental sustainability. A path that places itself at the heart of the Italian Circular Valley, as this very territory has been developing material recovery initiatives with circular solutions for over forty years.

This path is the right one, as confirmed by the interest of the European Union, which has allocated FIB3R financing coming to more than 2.2 million euro as part of NextGenerationEU for its innovative technology and the strategic importance of the materials processed. The total investment planned by the Hera Group to build the Imola plant amounts to 8 million euro.

At present, the plant is expected to produce 160 tonnes of recycled carbon fibre each year, with energy savings coming to 75% compared to virgin fibre.

“FIB3R is the first plant of its kind in Europe able to recycle carbon fibre. It is aimed at promoting short and circular supply chains, in line with the strategy of making our served areas more competitive and resilient,” states Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group. “FIB3R is also a concrete example of how the Hera Group is able to combine technological innovation and sustainability, by exploiting the cross fertilisation between the advanced skills of the Group’s various sectors. Recovering carbon fibre not only reduces the environmental impact of this waste, but also creates new market opportunities in strategic industrial sectors. Investing in this kind of circular infrastructure increases the resilience of production chains, reduces dependence on imports of critical raw materials and, at the same time, creates value through sustainable business models. With over 100 advanced plants and 5 new facilities under construction, we have consolidated our country’s largest and most modern set of plants for material treatment and recovery, strengthening our role as a reference operator in the sector and a driving force for the circular economy in Italy. Our Business Plan confirms this strategy, with 2 billion euro in investments for 2024-2028 destined for regenerating resources, a commitment intended to generate value for all our stakeholders.”

This morning's inauguration of the FIB3R plant within the Group’s main facility in Imola, near Bologna, offered a chance to engage in a debate on the future of carbon fibre, combining innovation and sustainability. After the institutional welcome given by Marco Panieri, Mayor of Imola, and Irene Priolo, Councillor for the Environment, Local Planning, Mobility and Transport and Infrastructures of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Herambiente CEO Andrea Ramonda opened the event. This event saw the participation of important representatives of the industrial and academic communities: Davide Abate, Ferrari’s Chief Technologies and Infrastructures Officer; Roberto Frassine, Chairman of Assocompositi; Loris Giorgini, Director of the Department of Industrial Chemistry at the University of Bologna; Raffaella Luglini, Chief Sustainability Officer Leonardo; Horacio Pagani, Founder of Pagani Automobili; Andrea Rangone, Full Professor of Entrepreneurship and Digital Business Innovation at the Milan Politecnico; Ferruccio Resta, Chairman of the Fondazione Bruno Kessler FBK. The meeting came to a conclusion with a contribution by Orazio Iacono, CEO of the Hera Group.

Before FIB3R

The Imola plant was developed by Group subsidiary Herambiente, Italy’s leading waste recovery and treatment operator, which had been experimenting with the carbon fibre recovery process for some time. This involved a collaboration with the Department of Industrial Chemistry of the University of Bologna and its technological partner Curti Costruzioni Meccaniche, a Ravenna-based company and leader in the production of automatic machines for industrial applications, which offered its knowledge and pilot plant to model the formula being studied. After three years of tests, the Hera Group, based on its expertise in engineering and waste treatment, industrially developed the project and built the FIB3R plant, to recycle composite materials and help bridge the gap between supply and demand of virgin fibre, reducing its environmental impact.

Data sheet

How carbon fibre is reborn

In the Imola plant, the rebirth of carbon fibre happens inside a 60-metre tunnel where an innovative and advanced pyrogasification process takes place. In the first phase, pyrolysis, the carbon fibre, which is more resistant to heat, is released from the resin, and in the second phase, gasification guarantees a regenerated fibre of the highest quality, pure, shiny and entirely sustainable as regards the environment. The resin decomposed in a gaseous form is reused to generate part of the energy required for the process, maximising energy recovery. The dust remaining in the fibres is vacuumed and sent to the abatement system. The result, after treatment, is the finest high-purity carbon fibre, with all its mechanical properties intact and ready to be rewoven and impregnated for all the typical uses of virgin fibre.

Energy savings and closing the circle

The recycling is potentially infinite and energy savings are very high compared to the production of virgin fibre, which is extremely energy intensive due to the high temperatures used. Furthermore, producing virgin carbon fibre requires the use of fossil raw materials and an increased reliance on landfills, since waste from fibre processing is almost exclusively destined for disposal. Life cycle analysis shows that energy demand for producing recycled fibre is 75% lower and avoids 74% of greenhouse gas emissions, significantly reducing disposals in landfills. And that’s not all: the unique nature of FIB3R also depends on the total traceability of the processed material. The used carbon fibre, in fact, enters the plant inside containers equipped with a QR code, which contains their identity card: technical characteristics, weight and origin. Once the process is complete, the same traced material returns to its owner in the form of regenerated carbon fibre, closing the circle and ensuring maximum sustainability, transparency and quality.

FIB3R’s travelling companions

To be effective, the closed cycle that distinguishes the innovative Imola plant needs partnerships between Hera Group and companies in the complex carbon chain, given that this material is increasingly present in hi-tech production sectors and, consequently, in waste management cycles. The Leonardo Group has already taken up the challenge of applying the circular economy to its production processes and, in this specific case, through its Aerostructures Division, it has launched an industrial synergy with the Hera Group by supporting a project within the Imola plant to recover carbon fibres used to reinforce the polymer matrix composites used to construct aircraft parts. Therefore, thanks to Herambiente’s assets and the know-how developed in the Leonardo Group’s laboratories, this precious material will be recycled with positive consequences in terms of sustainability and circularity. More specifically, Leonardo’s Aerostructures Division will confer to Herambiente part of the waste fibres deriving from the construction of the components of some of the best-known civil aircraft in the commercial aviation sector, such as the stabiliser of the ATR turboprop, the fuselage and horizontal stabiliser of the Boeing 787, and the tail pieces of the Airbus A220.

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20/10/2026

Hera Group inaugurates R3GID in Modena, the new rigid plastics recycling plant

Aliplast, a Hera Group subsidiary and one of Italy’s leading companies in plastics collection, recycling and regeneration, inaugurated its rigid plastics recycling plant in Modena this morning. The official opening of R3GID (Recover Recycle Regenerate Plastic), attended by Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, makes Hera one of the first multiutilities in Europe to operate a facility equipped to meet the growing demand for recycled plastics expected in the short to medium term under new EU regulations, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation.

Construction of Aliplast’s recycling plant began in 2024. Already operational for several months, the facility will employ 80 people at full capacity. It is among the most innovative plants in its sector in Europe and can process up to 30,000 tonnes of high-quality recycled polymers annually, with properties comparable to virgin materials derived from fossil feedstocks and a certified purity level of over 99%.

With an investment totalling €48.8 million, including €7.7 million in direct funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Hera Group is providing Italian industry with a facility capable of recycling rigid plastic waste from both municipal and industrial sources. This includes sectors such as automotive, cosmetics, home and personal care, consumer electronics and furniture, which generate materials that are generally not recyclable and would therefore be sent for energy recovery or to landfill. At the Modena plant, Aliplast instead regenerates this waste into high-quality, traceable and certified polymers produced in Italy. These can be reused by the same industries to manufacture a wide range of products, including plastic components for televisions, computers and household appliances, make-up containers, tanks and bumpers, and garden furniture.

“R3GID is a clear example of how Italy can anticipate the challenges posed by new European regulations, from the PPWR to the ELV Regulation, and turn them into opportunities for industrial growth,” said Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security. “This plant combines Italian technology, an entirely Italian supply chain and a certified, traceable product with quality comparable to virgin raw materials. Producing secondary raw materials locally means strengthening the country’s competitiveness, reducing dependence on foreign markets and making our supply chains more secure, even in the face of geopolitical tensions and price volatility. Facilities such as this benefit the country as a whole.”

“Europe faces a structural gap in recycling: capacity is stagnant or declining, while new regulations will increase demand for recycled plastics with quality equivalent to virgin polymers,” said Orazio Iacono, Chief Executive Officer of Hera Group. “The figures speak for themselves. Europe currently has plastics recycling capacity of 13.5 million tonnes, but only 3.5 million tonnes for rigid plastics, including approximately 440,000 tonnes. By 2040, an additional 5.7 million tonnes2 of recycled rigid plastics will be needed: a substantial gap. R3GID is our response as a first mover. It provides Italian manufacturers with high-quality, locally produced materials, reducing import costs and ensuring security of supply. There is also a benefit for the country: Italy pays the European Union around €800 million each year in Plastic Tax on non-recycled plastic packaging, while the Modena plant alone could generate savings of approximately €24 million if its entire output were used for packaging.”

Hera Group developed the plant using best available technologies. NEXTCHEM, a MAIRE Group company, participated in the project as a technology partner, providing its proprietary NX Replast™ technology, an advanced solution for plastics upcycling. More broadly, the plant’s equipment and technologies enable the production of high-purity recycled polymers and compounds designed to replace virgin fossil-based materials in high-value-added applications. They also enable the development of tailor-made materials to meet specific functional, mechanical, aesthetic and regulatory requirements, expanding the potential uses of recycled plastics even in the most demanding market segments.

The circular economy on a single site

R3GID is located at Hera Group’s industrial hub on Via Cavazza in Modena, which already houses a waste-to-energy plant and a wastewater treatment plant. These existing facilities have enabled the creation of a circular system with Aliplast’s new plant: treated water supplies the rigid plastics recycling process before returning to the wastewater treatment plant, while electricity generated by the waste-to-energy plant powers the new business activities.

This reduces energy costs, which, even before the energy crisis, accounted for around 30% of production costs in Italy’s recycling sector, excluding raw materials. The plant also avoids approximately 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions compared with production from virgin plastics, on a like-for-like production cycle basis.

Aliplast doubles its capacity

The Modena plant, the expansion of the facility in Borgolavezzaro (Novara) dedicated to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) recycling, and the acquisition of a 70% stake in Kronos Polymer Polska, also an LDPE specialist and expected to complete by the end of 2026, will enable Aliplast to double its recycling capacity and increase its operational flexibility. Annual capacity for high-quality secondary plastic raw materials will exceed 210,000 tonnes, with total production capacity reaching 255,000 tonnes per year.

The Modena investment forms part of the €2 billion allocated to the circular economy under the Group’s 2025–2029 Business Plan, out of total planned investment of €5.5 billion.

Innovation combining sustainability and competitiveness

This morning’s inauguration of Aliplast’s Modena plant provided an opportunity to discuss the future of plastics recycling, focusing on innovation and sustainability. Following institutional addresses by Massimo Mezzetti, Mayor of Modena, Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, and Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Hera Group CEO Orazio Iacono outlined the plant’s role within the Group’s strategy. Andrea Ramonda, CEO of Herambiente, presented R3GID’s key features, while Michele Petrone, CEO of Aliplast, opened the morning’s proceedings.

The event continued with a roundtable moderated by Francesca Gambarini, a journalist at L’Economia, Corriere della Sera, bringing together representatives from industry and research: Paolo Accastello, Stellantis Manufacturing – Vehicle Area Manager Italy & Poland; Luigi De Nardo, Head of the “Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano; Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman and Founder of MAIRE Group; Antonino Furfari, Managing Director of Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE); Paolo Goi, Global Innovation, Research & Quality Director at Davines; Maurizio Mezzelani, Head of R&D at Fratelli Guzzini; and Simone Targetti Ferri, Sustainability Officer at L’Oréal Italia. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the morning concluded with a guided tour of the plant.

The European plastics recycling landscape and regulatory developments

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), adopted by European countries in 2025, will require an additional 5.7 million tonnes of recycling capacity for rigid HDPE and PP plastics across Europe by 2040 compared with current levels. Of this, 2 million tonnes will need to be available by 2030 to meet increasing regulatory requirements for recycled content in packaging. The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation, approved in June 2026, will also contribute to demand. It introduces minimum recycled plastic content requirements for new vehicles of 15% from 2032 and 25% from 2036, with at least 20% of that recycled content required to come from end-of-life vehicles. As the ELV Regulation applies only to new models placed on the market, its full impact on the entire vehicle fleet is not expected before 2042. By that date, 1.2 million tonnes of post-consumer recycled plastics will be required.

Online from 20 October 2026

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20/10/2026

The facility can process up to 30,000 tonnes of polymers per year and produce flakes of a quality comparable to that of virgin raw material. €48.8 million has been invested, including €7.7 million from Italy’s NRRP funds, to develop a state-of-the-art facility designed to anticipate the growing demand for secondary raw materials driven by recent EU regulations. centrata Aliplast, a Hera Group subsidiary and one of Italy’s leading companies in plastics collection, recycling and regeneration, inaugurated its rigid plastics recycling plant in Modena this morning. The official opening of R3GID (Recover Recycle Regenerate Plastic), attended by Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, makes Hera one of the first multiutilities in Europe to operate a facility equipped to meet the growing demand for recycled plastics expected in the short to medium term under new EU regulations, including the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation. Construction of Aliplast’s recycling plant began in 2024. Already operational for several months, the facility will employ 80 people at full capacity. It is among the most innovative plants in its sector in Europe and can process up to 30,000 tonnes of high-quality recycled polymers annually, with properties comparable to virgin materials derived from fossil feedstocks and a certified purity level of over 99%. With an investment totalling €48.8 million, including €7.7 million in direct funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Hera Group is providing Italian industry with a facility capable of recycling rigid plastic waste from both municipal and industrial sources. This includes sectors such as automotive, cosmetics, home and personal care, consumer electronics and furniture, which generate materials that are generally not recyclable and would therefore be sent for energy recovery or to landfill. At the Modena plant, Aliplast instead regenerates this waste into high-quality, traceable and certified polymers produced in Italy. These can be reused by the same industries to manufacture a wide range of products, including plastic components for televisions, computers and household appliances, make-up containers, tanks and bumpers, and garden furniture. “R3GID is a clear example of how Italy can anticipate the challenges posed by new European regulations, from the PPWR to the ELV Regulation, and turn them into opportunities for industrial growth,” said Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister of the Environment and Energy Security. “This plant combines Italian technology, an entirely Italian supply chain and a certified, traceable product with quality comparable to virgin raw materials. Producing secondary raw materials locally means strengthening the country’s competitiveness, reducing dependence on foreign markets and making our supply chains more secure, even in the face of geopolitical tensions and price volatility. Facilities such as this benefit the country as a whole.” “Europe faces a structural gap in recycling: capacity is stagnant or declining, while new regulations will increase demand for recycled plastics with quality equivalent to virgin polymers,” said Orazio Iacono, Chief Executive Officer of Hera Group. “The figures speak for themselves. Europe currently has plastics recycling capacity of 13.5 million tonnes, but only 3.5 million tonnes for rigid plastics, including approximately 440,000 tonnes. By 2040, an additional 5.7 million tonnes2 of recycled rigid plastics will be needed: a substantial gap. R3GID is our response as a first mover. It provides Italian manufacturers with high-quality, locally produced materials, reducing import costs and ensuring security of supply. There is also a benefit for the country: Italy pays the European Union around €800 million each year in Plastic Tax on non-recycled plastic packaging, while the Modena plant alone could generate savings of approximately €24 million if its entire output were used for packaging.” Hera Group developed the plant using best available technologies. NEXTCHEM, a MAIRE Group company, participated in the project as a technology partner, providing its proprietary NX Replast™ technology, an advanced solution for plastics upcycling. More broadly, the plant’s equipment and technologies enable the production of high-purity recycled polymers and compounds designed to replace virgin fossil-based materials in high-value-added applications. They also enable the development of tailor-made materials to meet specific functional, mechanical, aesthetic and regulatory requirements, expanding the potential uses of recycled plastics even in the most demanding market segments. The circular economy on a single site R3GID is located at Hera Group’s industrial hub on Via Cavazza in Modena, which already houses a waste-to-energy plant and a wastewater treatment plant. These existing facilities have enabled the creation of a circular system with Aliplast’s new plant: treated water supplies the rigid plastics recycling process before returning to the wastewater treatment plant, while electricity generated by the waste-to-energy plant powers the new business activities. This reduces energy costs, which, even before the energy crisis, accounted for around 30% of production costs in Italy’s recycling sector, excluding raw materials. The plant also avoids approximately 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions compared with production from virgin plastics, on a like-for-like production cycle basis. Aliplast doubles its capacity The Modena plant, the expansion of the facility in Borgolavezzaro (Novara) dedicated to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) recycling, and the acquisition of a 70% stake in Kronos Polymer Polska, also an LDPE specialist and expected to complete by the end of 2026, will enable Aliplast to double its recycling capacity and increase its operational flexibility. Annual capacity for high-quality secondary plastic raw materials will exceed 210,000 tonnes, with total production capacity reaching 255,000 tonnes per year. The Modena investment forms part of the €2 billion allocated to the circular economy under the Group’s 2025–2029 Business Plan, out of total planned investment of €5.5 billion. Innovation combining sustainability and competitiveness This morning’s inauguration of Aliplast’s Modena plant provided an opportunity to discuss the future of plastics recycling, focusing on innovation and sustainability. Following institutional addresses by Massimo Mezzetti, Mayor of Modena, Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, and Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Hera Group CEO Orazio Iacono outlined the plant’s role within the Group’s strategy. Andrea Ramonda, CEO of Herambiente, presented R3GID’s key features, while Michele Petrone, CEO of Aliplast, opened the morning’s proceedings. The event continued with a roundtable moderated by Francesca Gambarini, a journalist at L’Economia, Corriere della Sera, bringing together representatives from industry and research: Paolo Accastello, Stellantis Manufacturing – Vehicle Area Manager Italy & Poland; Luigi De Nardo, Head of the “Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano; Fabrizio Di Amato, Chairman and Founder of MAIRE Group; Antonino Furfari, Managing Director of Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE); Paolo Goi, Global Innovation, Research & Quality Director at Davines; Maurizio Mezzelani, Head of R&D at Fratelli Guzzini; and Simone Targetti Ferri, Sustainability Officer at L’Oréal Italia. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the morning concluded with a guided tour of the plant. The European plastics recycling landscape and regulatory developments The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), adopted by European countries in 2025, will require an additional 5.7 million tonnes of recycling capacity for rigid HDPE and PP plastics across Europe by 2040 compared with current levels. Of this, 2 million tonnes will need to be available by 2030 to meet increasing regulatory requirements for recycled content in packaging. The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation, approved in June 2026, will also contribute to demand. It introduces minimum recycled plastic content requirements for new vehicles of 15% from 2032 and 25% from 2036, with at least 20% of that recycled content required to come from end-of-life vehicles. As the ELV Regulation applies only to new models placed on the market, its full impact on the entire vehicle fleet is not expected before 2042. By that date, 1.2 million tonnes of post-consumer recycled plastics will be required. 2026-10-20 sede Hera 110x150 (1).jpg

Hera Group inaugurates R3GID in Modena, the new rigid plastics recycling plant

Online since 20/10/2026

13/10/2026

The multiutility has won the tender launched by the Interuniversity Consortium. Located in northern Bologna, approximately 3 km from the DAMA Technopole, the new facility will provide renewable energy to the data center, helping to decarbonise its electricity consumption. centrata Bologna is taking another step towards a more innovative, sustainable and competitive future. Leonardo, the supercomputer co-funded by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking and the Italian Ministry of University and Research and operated by CINECA at Bologna’s DAMA Technopole, will be partly powered by renewable electricity generated by Hera Group’s Energy Park agrivoltaic plant. This marks one of Italy’s first initiatives to combine environmental sustainability and technological competitiveness through dedicated green infrastructure, following the Group’s successful bid in the tender launched by the Interuniversity Consortium. The agrivoltaic plant to be developed by Hera Group within the Energy Park will supply renewable electricity to the CINECA data center housing the Leonardo supercomputer. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to generate 30 GWh of electricity annually, avoiding approximately 7,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, with electricity output equivalent to the consumption of 11,000 households. The concession, awarded following the tender process in early summer, has a value of €73.5 million. In accordance with applicable regulations, Helisa (Hera Energy for Leonardo Improved Supercomputing Architecture), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hera, has been established to manage the concession. “Thanks to the support of Minister Anna Maria Bernini and funding from the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), our supercomputing infrastructure has achieved another milestone, combining computing power with environmental sustainability,” commented Francesco Ubertini, Chairman of CINECA. “Our highly efficient closed-loop liquid cooling system, heat recovery plan, LEED Platinum certification for the data center and exclusive use of renewable energy will now be complemented by an innovative facility for on-site renewable energy generation. This represents a unique achievement at both European and international level.” “Supplying the Leonardo supercomputer with locally generated renewable energy is an achievement of significant strategic value, made possible by the Group’s innovation and new green infrastructure,” said Orazio Iacono, Chief Executive Officer of Hera Group. “Hera’s Energy Park, a flagship initiative of Bologna Missione Clima—the Climate City Contract aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2030—is tangible evidence of this. The project creates value for both the company and the community and reinforces our role in enabling the energy transition across the areas we serve.” Bologna’s Energy Park is an innovative project and one of the first of its kind in Italy. Hera Group will develop the facility in the Navile district, in the northern part of the city, adjacent to Parco Nord and just a few minutes from the DAMA Technopole, home to the CINECA data center housing Leonardo, one of the world’s most advanced supercomputers. Its strategic location will enable the Energy Park to supply electricity directly to the Leonardo supercomputer through a dedicated connection linking the agrivoltaic plant to the existing infrastructure. The Energy Park is one of Hera Group’s flagship contributions to Bologna Missione Clima, the initiative supporting the City of Bologna’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2030. The project will cover approximately 90 hectares, of which almost 70 hectares will remain available for agricultural use. An advanced agrivoltaic plant will be developed on approximately 30 hectares of this agricultural land to generate renewable electricity. The height and positioning of the photovoltaic panels will allow electricity generation to coexist with the continued use of the land for farming activities. The southern section of the site, covering the remaining hectares, will be dedicated to biodiversity conservation. Known as the Urban Forest, this area will comprise a park largely accessible to the public, alongside zones specifically designed to protect plant and animal biodiversity. Approximately 4,000 trees and shrubs will be planted. The authorisation and construction processes for the Energy Park have already been initiated and will progress throughout 2027–2028, with completion of construction expected during 2029. 2026-10-13 sede Hera 110x150 (1).jpg

Energy Park for Leonardo: Hera Group’s agrivoltaic plant to power the supercomputer operated by CINECA

Online since 13/10/2026

Price sensitive release

Hera Group: H1 2026 results approved

The Consolidated Half-Year Financial Report as at 30 June reports a 16% increase in net profit and a 56% rise in investments, higher than in the previous period. The operational and financial soundness has been confirmed and the targets for the current year with regard to external growth have already been achieved in the first half. The results achieved at the end of June will enable the multi-utility to further enhance its infrastructure in the second half of the year and seize new development opportunities.

Online since 29/07/2026 at 13:08

17/07/2026

The Group's continued inclusion in the index confirms the strength of its ESG profile, standing above the Utilities and Multiutilities sector average in key areas including Climate Change, Labour Standards, Governance and Anti-Corruption.

Hera confirmed in the FTSE4Good Index Series for the seventh consecutive year

Online since 17/07/2026

14/07/2026

M&A

This transaction contributes to the execution of the strategy aimed at doubling the capacity of its subsidiary Aliplast to over 210,000 tonnes per year of high-quality recycled plastic raw materials, consolidating its leadership in the sector in Europe. The acquisition will be finalised by the end of 2026.

Hera Group strengthens its leadership in plastics regeneration by acquiring 70% of Kronos Polymer Polska

Online since 14/07/2026

17/06/2026

The multi-utility tops the ranking, marking its sixth consecutive year on the podium, the only Italian company to achieve this result. The recognition rewards the credibility and consistency with which the Group integrates ESG factors into its strategy, governance and corporate culture. centrata Hera Group ranked first in the 2026 ESG Identity Corporate Index, developed by ET.Group to measure the extent to which ESG factors are integrated into companies’ strategies and decision-making processes. The results of the eleventh edition were presented today in Milan at the ESG Business Conference. The Group’s growth, together with the progressive evolution and increasing maturity of its ESG model, has gone hand in hand with continuous advances in governance, enabling the multi-utility to rank among the Top 10 for 9 consecutive years and on the podium for six years in a row. A more selective assessment focused on ESG credibilityThe recognition is even more significant as it is the outcome of a rigorous assessment process carried out against a benchmark that continues to rise. The 2026 edition included a record 109 companies, all demonstrating increasingly advanced levels of ESG maturity. The assessment itself has also become more demanding, shifting the focus from disclosure alone to companies’ ability to demonstrate the effective integration of ESG factors into strategy, decision-making processes and corporate culture. The analysis centres on the development of a robust and coherent ESG strategy geared towards value creation, transparent reporting of results, and the ability to anticipate and manage risks. For Hera Group, particular emphasis was placed on: governance as an enabler, supported by the active involvement of dedicated governance bodies; the integration of ESG targets into remuneration policies and long-term strategies; the ability to foster a cross-functional ESG culture involving all business functions and the entire value chain. Hera Group builds its ESG narrative on its strategy, its commitments and its ability to translate them into tangible results. Over more than twenty years, the multi-utility has combined sustained economic growth with the evolution of its governance towards increasingly demanding targets, clear accountability and measurable performance. The credibility of the Group’s commitments rests on a consistent track record of delivery, as demonstrated by significant investments, completed projects and reported impacts. The same rigour underpins investment in people development through skills, inclusion and professional growth, as well as incentive systems that embed sustainability targets. For Hera Group, ESG is therefore the practical framework through which the company governs, grows and creates value over time. 2026-06-17 sede-hera-110.jpg

Hera Group ranks first in the 2026 ESG Identity Corporate Index

Online since 17/06/2026

16/06/2026

The €100 million project, launched in 2019, has been completed to support local regeneration and the circular economy. sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata Ravenna, June 16, 2026 – The Ravenna environmental hub, a center dedicated to the circular economy and industrial waste management, is now a reality. The project by Eni and Hera, and in particular their subsidiaries Eni Rewind and Herambiente, represents a model based on industrial regeneration and ecological transition: thanks to the environmental remediation activities carried out by Eni Rewind, which owns the area, and to a total investment of €100 million, a 26-hectare decommissioned site located within the Ravenna district has been restored and repurposed for a new industrial development initiative The Ravenna Environmental Hub’s facilities will help reduce the structural shortage of plants for managing special waste in Italy, maximizing material recovery and reducing reliance on landfills. In particular, the HEA platform - a joint venture between HASI (Herambiente Servizi Industriali) and Eni Rewind - is one of the most significant integrated industrial waste management projects in Italy. The HEA platform is a multifunctional facility for the pretreatment of special waste, both solid and liquid, from industrial and remediation activities. It will replace the historic HASI storage platform in Ravenna, introducing more advanced technologies, greater capacity, and increased operational flexibility to meet the needs of Eni Group operations and the wider industrial market. With a treatment capacity of up to 60,000 tons per year and a multi-line plant configuration, the platform enables a wide range of operations, from storage and repackaging to shredding and mixing. Its main objective is to maximise material recovery and reduce disposals, increasing the efficiency of operations and supporting economies of scale. The HEA platform is strategically important for Ravenna, a major industrial district and one of Italy’s largest producers of special waste. It contributes strengthening local treatment capacity, reducing transfers to facilities outside the region or abroad, and providing companies with more efficient local services. It supports competitiveness, operational continuity and the development of new circular supply chains as well. The Hub also hosts Eni Rewind’s biorecovery plant, which can treat up to 80,000 tons per year of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils from remediation activities. The plant uses a biological aerobic biodegradation process to treat soils which can then be reused as backfill in remediation sites, minimizing the use of virgin materials. A dedicated chemical laboratory managed by Labanalysis Environmental Services, an Italian sector leader in which Eni Rewind holds a stake, will monitor processes and ensure compliance. In addition, Plenitude, an Eni subsidiary, has also built a renewable energy production facility as part of the Hub. Operational since 2024, the photovoltaic plant has a capacity of 6 MWp and covers 11 hectares, with more than 10,000 installed panels. The plant optimizes energy production by using solar panels which can capture light on both sides and are mounted on mobile structures that follow the path of the sun throughout the day. These structures are installed on special supports placed directly on the impermeable cover built as part of the site’s permanent safety measures. In April 2026, the project added an experimental energy storage system based on a new generation of vanadium flow batteries. The system has been completed and connected to the existing photovoltaic installation. Eni Rewind began the overall redevelopment of the Ca’ Ponticelle area in 2019 implementing environmental remediation activities. In 2021, the works had been completed to permanently secure the area, which was once part of a petrochemical complex. In 2023, following the update of the Municipality of Ravenna’s Urban Plan, construction began on the new environmental infrastructure that is expected to become operational in July 2026. “The Ravenna Environmental Hub is being developed on a site deeply rooted in Enihistory. We have transformed the decommissioned Ca’ Ponticelle site into an environmental platform capable of combining remediation, industrial redevelopment, and industrial competitiveness. The site is strategically positioned to meet market needs and will host Eni Rewind’s first two waste treatment plants, alongside the more than 40 plants we operate in Italy for water treatment” said Paolo Grossi, Chief Executive Officer of Eni Rewind. “Our environmental services offering is further enhanced by bioremediation plants for soil recovery and by the industrial waste pre-treatment platform, developed in partnership with Herambiente. The Ravenna Environmental Hub is a concrete example of sustainable development, and we hope it can serve as a replicable model in other regions to reduce infrastructure gaps and the environmental impact of waste management.” “With the new multifunctional HEA platform within the Ponticelle Environmental Hub, the Herambiente Group is taking another step in strengthening its position in industrial waste management. The project is part of a development path aimed at creating a unique plant system in Italy that helps bridge the country’s infrastructure gap and reduce waste exports abroad,” said Andrea Ramonda, Chief Executive Officer of Herambiente. “The HEA facility, developed through the joint venture with Eni Rewind, is equipped with the best available technologies and is designed to maximize the recovery of materials and energy. It will efficiently manage flows related to Eni Group activities and those of the wider market, with tangible benefits for the competitiveness and operational continuity of the local production system. The project also strengthens Ravenna’s strategic role. Herambiente first launched its operations here, and the industrial zone is now part of a circular economy hub serving the industries across Central and Northern Italy.” “The Ravenna Environmental Hub is the result of a vision that began to take shape in 2019, when we started working with Eni, Hera and all the stakeholders involved in the redevelopment of a strategic area such as Ca’ Ponticelle. Today this project shows how environmental regeneration can become a driver of industrial development, innovation, and skilled employment. Ravenna is reaffirming its role as a major national energy and industrial hub, with an increasingly strong focus on the circular economy and sustainability,” said Michele de Pascale, President of Emilia-Romagna Region. “The ability to reclaim disused areas, develop technologically advanced facilities, and create new supply chains linked to material recovery represents a key lever for the future competitiveness of the territory. This investment strengthens Ravenna’s role as one of Italy’s leading laboratories for ecological and industrial transition and offers new opportunities for economic and employment growth for the city, the regional production system, and future generations.” “Today, from Ravenna, a strong message is being sent to the country through a project that combines industrial reconversion and environmental protection, representing a strategic infrastructure not only for our city but also for Italy. This is the model we would like to set the course for the future: fewer landfills, more recovery, more skilled jobs, and investments in photovoltaics, with a view to advancing the circular economy” said Alessandro Barattoni, Mayor of Ravenna. “Thanks to an investment of €100 million, a 26-hectare former industrial site, fully reclaimed from an environmental standpoint, will host new initiatives supporting industry, waste cycle management, and the ecological transition, under a model of competitiveness that combines productivity with environmental sustainability.” Scan here to access the media kit For more information about the HEA platform, visit the website: https://ha.gruppohera.it/herambiente-group/hea 2026-06-16 sede-hera-110.jpg

Eni and Hera: the Environmental Hub is established in Ravenna in the Ca’ Ponticelle area

Online since 16/06/2026

09/06/2026

centrata The Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A., which met today, assessed the independence of its directors appointed by the Shareholders’ Meeting of 29 April 2026. On the basis of the statements made by the Directors and the information available to the company, the Board of Directors of Hera S.p.A. assessed that all directors meet the independence requirements set out in Article 148 of Legislative Decree No. 58/1998, with the exception of the Executive Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and directors Gianni Bessi and Enrico Di Stasi. The Board also assessed that directors Fabio Bacchilega, Benedetta Brighenti, Roberta Calderisi, Marina Monassi, Francesco Perrini, Paola Schwizer, Bruno Tani, Fabrizio Toselli and Alice Vatta meet the independence requirements set out in the Corporate Governance Code. It should also be noted that, in compliance with the provisions of the Corporate Governance Code, the Board of Statutory Auditors verified that all its members meet the independence requirements, reporting the outcome of these checks to the Board of Directors. The members of the Internal Committees were also appointed: for the “Executive Committee”, the following were appointed: Cristian Fabbri, as Chairman; Tommaso Fabbri, as Deputy Chairman; Orazio Iacono and Vanessa Camani, as members; for the “Control and Risk Committee” (whose composition is the same as that of the Related-Party Transactions Committee) the following were appointed: Paola Schwizer, as Chairwoman; Benedetta Brighenti, Marina Monassi and Francesco Perrini, as members; for the “Remuneration Committee”, the following were appointed: Alice Vatta, as Chairwoman; Fabio Bacchilega, Tommaso Fabbri and Francesco Perrini, as members. Finally, with regard to the "Ethics and Sustainability Committee”, the following were appointed: Tommaso Fabbri, as Chairman; Alice Vatta, Filippo Bocchi and Nicoletta Tranquillo, as members. 2026-05-13 13:34:00 sede-hera-110.jpg

Independence requirements verified for directors and statutory auditors; internal Committees appointed

Online since 13/05/2026 at 13:34

Hera Group's BoD approves results for the first quarter of 2026

The consolidated three-month report as at 31 March shows improved performance and an increase of over 24% in capital expenditures.

Online since 13/05/2026 at 13:07

Hera Group and Saipem launch strategic partnership to support the energy transition and circular economy of Italian industry

A collaboration agreement has been signed to support companies and local areas on their path towards the energy transition and circular economy, through innovative solutions that combine sustainability with competitiveness sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata Saipem, a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and Hera Group, one of Italy’s leading multi-utilities, have signed a strategic collaboration agreement, initially lasting three years, with the aim of supporting Italian companies in their energy efficiency, decarbonisation and circular economy journeys. The partnership draws on Saipem’s engineering and technological expertise and Hera Group’s long-standing experience in waste, water and energy services. Both companies share a firm commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction. The agreement between the two organisations aims to support companies and local areas in the energy transition, offering concrete, integrated solutions to reduce emissions, improve consumption efficiency and enhance resource recovery. Particular attention will be paid to the needs of the most energy-intensive industrial sectors, such as ceramics, glass, paper, chemicals, cement, steel and other industries characterised by processes that are difficult to electrify, all of which face an increasingly complex and challenging path towards Net Zero. Through this partnership, Saipem and Hera Group will make their multidisciplinary expertise available, offering a comprehensive portfolio of technologies and integrated solutions for energy efficiency, renewable energy, hydrogen and carbon capture systems. The objective is to identify, on a case-by-case basis, the most effective energy transition pathway from a technical, energy and economic perspective. Interested companies will be able to benefit from a free preliminary audit designed to assess the best possible decarbonisation pathway from an energy and economic standpoint, as well as support in evaluating incentive schemes available at national and European level to help make projects feasible. This represents a concrete contribution across the entire energy transition value chain, a rapidly evolving sector that is increasingly strategic for the competitiveness of the production system. For Saipem, the agreement with Hera Group forms part of its strategy to support the energy transition of the most complex industrial sectors. The partnership enhances the Group’s engineering and technological expertise and its ability to integrate innovative solutions, strengthening Saipem’s role as a technology partner for Italian industry. It also broadens access to solutions for energy efficiency, renewables, hydrogen and CO₂ capture, in line with Saipem’s evolution towards increasingly sustainable business models. This agreement is fully aligned with the path outlined by Hera Group in its Business Plan to 2029, which envisages €3 billion in investments dedicated to the energy transition and circular economy of local areas and businesses. Also moving in this direction is the cutting-edge project for the capture of CO₂ emissions at the Ferrara waste-to-energy plant, proposed by Hera Group as lead partner in collaboration with Saipem. The project was selected in October 2024 to receive funding under the fourth call for mid-scale projects of the EU Innovation Fund, confirming the multi-utility’s commitment to promoting advanced technologies and strategic partnerships to make a concrete contribution to national and European climate targets. Hera Group Hera Group is one of Italy’s largest multi-utilities and operates in the environment, energy and water sectors, with over 10,500 employees. More than 7.5 million citizens receive at least one service provided by the Group. Listed since 2003, it is among the top 40 Italian companies by market capitalisation, is included in the FTSE MIB index and has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2020, recently renamed the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index. https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng/ Saipem Saipem is a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. Saipem is a “One Company” organised into business lines: Asset Based Services, Drilling and Sonsub, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind and Sustainable Infrastructures. The company has five fabrication yards and an offshore fleet of 17 owned construction vessels and 12 drilling rigs, nine of which are owned. Always focused on technological innovation, the company’s vision is “Engineering for a sustainable future”. For this reason, Saipem is committed every day to supporting its clients on their energy transition journey towards Net Zero, using increasingly digital means, technologies and processes geared towards environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, Saipem operates in more than 50 countries worldwide and employs around 30,000 people of over 130 nationalities. Website: www.saipem.com Download Press release Hera Group and Saipem launch strategic partnership .pdf 2026-05-06 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

Online since 06/05/2026

Hera, a global leader in sustainability: once again at the top of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index

The Group, included for the sixth year in both the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Europe and World Indices, confirms its position as the most sustainable Multi & Water Utility at global level. A further recognition that rewards the results achieved and the Group’s approach to creating shared value for all stakeholders. sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata According to S&P Global, the Hera Group has once again been ranked the world’s leading company in the Multi & Water Utility sector and has been included, for the sixth consecutive year, in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index (formerly known as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index), both at European and global level. This result follows an in-depth assessment of performance across environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions. The Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index, a leading international stock market index, comprises listed companies demonstrating the highest performance in Environmental, Social and Governance & Economic dimensions. In particular, the multi-utility has reaffirmed its global leadership in its sector, achieving a score of 83/100 compared with a sector average of 37/100. This recognition rewards the quality of the Group’s sustainability reporting, the results achieved by a company that has always been aware of its role within its operating ecosystem, and its strategy of pursuing the creation of shared value for all stakeholders, in line with its purpose. The Group is considered a best practice across multiple areas: In governance, it stands out for the transparency of its reporting, its careful and effective risk management – including cyber risk – and its exemplary ability to manage the supply chain sustainably; In the environmental dimension, it ranks first for the efficient management of energy in its internal processes and for safeguarding biodiversity in the territories in which it operates, and has distinguished itself in particular for its reporting and management of climate change-related risks and opportunities; In the social dimension, it has achieved the highest global score in respect for human rights, the development of its employees’ human capital, customer engagement, data privacy protection and relations with local communities. These assessments confirm the aspects most highlighted by analysts: a company capable of combining economic growth with sustainable development, continuing to generate value for its stakeholders and not only for shareholders. This is also evidenced by a shared value EBITDA, which rose in 2025 to 60% of Group EBITDA (in line with the 2029 target of 68% set out in the business plan), and by an expected double-digit average annual Total Shareholder Return. Listed since 2003 and included in the FTSE MIB since 2019, Hera stock has been part of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index Europe & World (formerly the Dow Jones Sustainability Index) and the FTSE4Good Index since 2020, and is also included in the Italian ESG MIB blue-chip index dedicated to best ESG practices. For a decade, the Group has been included in the FTSE Diversity & Inclusion Index Top 100 and, in 2025, reached the global Top 10, according to FTSE Russell certification, in recognition of its commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and people development. Furthermore, for the past five years it has ranked among the top three companies in the ESG Identity Corporate Index, acknowledging the full and conscious integration of sustainability policies into its governance and business strategies. Download Press release Hera at the top of Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index.pdf 2026-05-04 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

Online since 04/05/2026

29/04/2026

The multi-utility continues on its growth path and value creation for shareholders and local areas served. Executive Chairman Cristian Fabbri and Chief Executive Officer Orazio Iacono have also been reappointed to the Board of Directors for the next three-year term.

Hera Shareholders’ Meeting: 2025 financial statements approved and dividend increased to 16 eurocents. New Board of Directors appointed

Online since 29/04/2026 at 16:29

07/04/2026

sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata The minority lists containing candidates for the appointment of the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors, accompanied by the respective documents required by current norms, registered within the deadline by shareholders in light of the Shareholders Meeting called for 29 April 2026, are available to the public at the Company headquarters, on Hera Group’s website (https://eng.gruppohera.it/group_eng/corporate-governance/shareholders-meetings), and on the authorised storage website 1INFO (www.1Info.it). Download Press release 20260408 Pubblication of minority lists of candidates.pdf 2026-04-08 17:50:00 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

Minority lists for the appointment of the Board of Directors and the Board of Statutory Auditors published

Online since 07/04/2026 at 17:50

07/04/2026

sede Hera 110x150.jpg centrata Kindly note that the folder containing the draft Separate Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements as of 31/12/2025, including the Report of the Board of Statutory Auditors and the Report of the Independent Auditors has been made available to the public at the company headquarters, on the website https://eng.gruppohera.it/ and on the authorised storage platform 1INFO (www.1Info.it). In the same way, the Corporate Governance Report and the Report on Remuneration Policy and Compensation Paid are also available. Download Press release Press release Financial Statements FY2025.pdf 2026-04-07 17:28:00 sede Hera 110x150.jpg

Publication of the Draft Separate and Consolidated Financial Statements as of 31.12.2025, the Corporate Governance Report, and the Report on Remuneration and Compensation Paid

Online since 07/04/2026 at 17:28

27/03/2026