Sustainable Fibre

On top of circularity, Prysmian is deploying eco-design solutions to create sustainable materials. Umicore and Prysmian have worked together for many years on environmentally-friendly materials. The culmination of this work is the development of 100% sustainable germanium for optical fibre production. Through this, we are optimising and expanding germanium recycling possibilities and capabilities and providing germanium generated as a by-product of base metal production. This work is having significant impact: it reduces our annual CO 2 emissions by 60%, which is equivalent to taking roughly 6,800 combustion-engine cars off the road. We are also tracking eco-design solutions through our ECO CABLE label to complement the net zero Scope 3 target. This is based upon six criteria: 1. Carbon footprint. 2. Absence of extremely hazardous substances. 3. Recyclability / circularity. 4. Recycling input rate (usage of recycled as rawmaterials). 5. Environmental benefits (low carbon enabling products* and CPR – Construction Products Regulation). 6. Cable transmission efficiency. By assessing these criteria, we are holding Prysmian to high standards and ensuring transparency, to empower consumers in making sustainable choices. The ECO CABLE label rating has been launched in Italy in 2021, and will follow in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany. Acceleration on climate change Prysmian Group has announced a new ambitious climate strategy adopting science-based targets, in line with the requirements of the Paris Agreement (COP 21), and endorsing the Business Ambition (1.5°C) with the “net zero” target expected to be achieved between 2035 and 2040 with regard to the emissions generated by its operations (Scope 1 and 2) and by 2050 for emissions generated by the value chain (Scope 3). Environmental management and monitoring Prysmian’s French fibre plant (Douvrin) is certified by the ISO 14001 environmental management system, developing low energy consumption equipment (e.g., LED cure, low power consumption inductive furnaces, low helium consumption process, recycling all waste material). It offers a systemic approach to environmental sustainability. Prysmian Group also reports environmental impacts. These are consumption of energy and water; disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste; and greenhouse gas emissions linked to sources of energy: • We continue our efforts aimed at reducing water consumption in several countries around the globe: in La Pointe, Canada, we reduced water usage by perfecting an automatic dosage system that reduces the frequency of discharging and refilling; in Tetla, Mexico, water consumption was reduced by daily monitoring. • The efforts made to cut waste at our plants are continuous. Here are a few highlights: In Montereau, the plant reduced waste from the extruder; in Tetla, Mexico, energy consumption was reduced by the optimisation of machine start-ups and the hours of maximum usage; in Paragould, a new evaporator drastically reduced emulsion waste. • On greenhouse gas emissions, for four years in a row Prysmian Group has obtained a B score (on a scale of 8 values from A to D) in the CDP Climate Change Report, as part of its Climate Change Program. Moreover, many of our EU plants have acquired Guarantee of Origin (GO) certificates for electrical energy with the aim of reducing our indirect GHG emissions. This is an ongoing process which we are committed to delivering across more and more plants. • Among the most important initiatives in this area is the Group’s Pikkala plant, chiefly dedicated to the production of cables for offshore wind farms, which will become the first net zero plant, where 100% of the energy used will be obtained from certified renewable sources. * All business areas, or those among them, that are classified as “low carbon enabling” have been identified by applying the taxonomy defined by the Climate Bond Initiative. 7