Circular economy

Growth strategy
Strategic action
Eco-fin

Our growth strategy

On the circular economy front, we invested about 1.3 billion euros in the 2021-2022 period and we plan to carry on investing in this sphere, focusing on the closure of the waste cycle, on the recovery of material, energy and heat, and on the development of bioenergies, reaching a 2030 EBITDA of 0.8 billion euros.

New plants to recover heat, energy and green gases from waste and by-products

The infographic illustrates the circular economy value chain to 2030. It includes the primary sources handled by A2A facilities: commingled and organic waste, and agri-food waste. 3.6 Mt of commingled waste are used for energy recovery, providing the system with 1.9 TWh of thermal energy for district heating and 2.5 TWh of electricity for the electricity networks. 0.4 Mt of organic wate for material recovery and 3 Mt of bioenergies produce 170 Mm3 of biomethane for the gas networks.

Notes: non-exhaustive representation, not including other material recovery flows | (1) waste for energy recovery | (2) organic fraction only | (3) by-products for biomethane production

5€B

CAPEX cumulative

0,8€B

EBITDA @2030

Our strategic action

Accelerating the recovery of material

With the update of the Plan, we foresee an increase of more than 2.8 Mt in waste treatment capacity compared to 2022, consolidating our position as leader in the waste-to-energy sector.

Net waste treatment | Mt

The bar chart regarding net treated urban and special waste (in million tonnes) shows the growth trend from 2022 to 2030: 4.2 in 2022F, 5.3 in 2026, 7.0 in 2030 with +2.8 Mt compared to 2022F.

45%Urban WtE

Market share¹
@2021

10%Industrial WtE

Market share²
@2021

Notes: (1) computed on “total incinerated urban waste” in 2020 – Report on Municipal Waste ISPRA 2021 | (2) computed on “total incinerated industrial waste” in 2019 – Report on Waste from Economic Activities ISPRA 2021

Taking up a significant position in the biomethane sector

Through targeted investments, we aim to set up nearly 40 plants for the treatment of agri-food and livestock waste by means of reconversions and greenfield development. We will achieve a production capacity of 170 million cubic metres of biomethane by 2030.

Bioenergy growth | # plants

~70% development by 2026

The bar chart regarding facility development shows evolution of the number of plants for the production of biomethane, divided into two types of plant: reconverted biogas plants and greenfield plants. In 2026, the total number of plants will be 25, of which 12 reconversion and 13 greenfield. In 2030, the total will stand at 38, of which 12 reconversion and 26 greenfield.

Recovery of lithium batteries

Thanks to the Group’s leadership in the sphere of the circular economy, we are going to start up a lithium battery recovery business. With this new business, we will be able to handle around 10 kt of batteries each year.

Simplified value chain

The infographic illustrates the value chain of lithium battery recycling, highlighting the following phases: 1) Raw materials: lithium, nickel, cobalt 2) Components: anode, cathode and electrolyte 3) Batteries: cells, modules, battery packs 4) Use: electric vehicles 5) Recovery: recovery and safety, disassembly and selection, treatment and refining

Eco-fin

Investments

Our Plan foresees overall investments amounting to 5 billion euros, destined to the closure of the waste cycle, the recovery of material, energy and heat, and to the development of bioenergies, reaching a 2030 EBITDA of 0.8 billion euros.