MAPEI publishes 2024 Sustainability Report

Deerfield Beach, FL - MAPEI has published its ninth Sustainability Report – including, for the third year in a row, all 59 countries in which it operates – and continues to follow the path of responsible growth. In an ever-changing world, companies face an increasing number of challenges that are related to climate, energy and social responsibility. MAPEI Group responds to these challenges by taking real actions and promoting a culture of sustainability in its business model that considers environmental, social and economic factors.

"Sustainability for us is a real commitment that crosses every sphere of our activity: From social initiatives to culture, from sport to research, and training. We believe in the value of people, the power of knowledge and the beauty of sharing. That is why we invest in projects that have a positive impact on communities, promote responsible innovation and support initiatives that improve the quality of life. This is our approach to business: We work with passion and expertise, always looking to the future,” said Veronica Squinzi, MAPEI CEO.

"The building sector, among the most environmentally impactful, is responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions. At MAPEI we are firmly committed to transforming the way we build by promoting a culture of sustainability based on responsibility, innovation and quality. We invest in research and development to offer low-impact, durable and cutting-edge solutions. For us, innovation means improving the quality of construction, respecting the environment and actively contributing to the ecological transition of the sector," said Marco Squinzi, MAPEI CEO.

In 2024, MAPEI invested 39.8 million euros in cultural, sports and solidarity initiatives.

Reducing emissions

One of the most significant examples is the expansion of the Zero product line, which now includes 230 products; these products’ residual CO₂ emissions – amounting to 300,000 tons (300 000 000 kg) in 2024 alone – have been fully offset through certified environmental credits. This commitment translates into support for reforestation and biodiversity protection projects, actively contributing to the fight against climate change.

A key role is played by MAPEI’s Corporate Environmental Sustainability team, based within the Corporate Research Centre in Milan and entirely dedicated to the environmental sustainability of products and processes. The team measures the environmental impact of the products throughout their life cycle through the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results of this testing are reported in certified documents that are called Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are available for more than 80% of MAPEI products today.

The team also stimulates the laboratories to create products with an increasingly low environmental impact by searching for solutions to reduce the consumption of raw materials and increase the use of recycled materials from the formulation stage.

However, MAPEI’s environmental initiatives do not stop with the product. The company continues to improve the energy efficiency of its production processes by installing photovoltaic systems at its facilities, resulting in a reduction of over 1,600 tons (1 600 000 kg) of CO₂ emissions – a step towards increasingly efficient and low-impact production.

A shared commitment

MAPEI Group closed 2024 with a consolidated turnover of 4.4 billion euros, a result made possible by the dedication of over 13,000 people worldwide who make up the MAPEI team and who are always at the heart of the company's strategy. In addition to offering training programs, professional development and welfare initiatives, MAPEI fosters a fair, inclusive and merit-based work environment. This push for a better work environment is reflected in the updated Code of Ethics, which reinforces the principles of respect, inclusion and appreciation of diversity, which are fundamental pillars of the company culture.

It is from this vision that the “A Day for Others” initiative was born – the first corporate volunteering project for employees of the Milan offices, who are invited to dedicate part of their working hours to social initiatives. The program offers employees the opportunity to take two half days of paid leave per year to actively and voluntarily devote themselves to the activities of charitable associations in Milan, including Pane Quotidiano, Opera San Francesco and RECUP.

Investing in research

Sustainable innovation also involves collaboration with the academic world. For example, MAPEI has collaborated with the University of Brescia to study new solutions for low-emission concrete by testing geopolymers and hybrid reinforcements that guarantee high mechanical performance and a CO₂ reduction of up to 66%. With the University of Naples Federico II, Mapegrout Easy Flow Zero mortar was tested by MAPEI to improve the durability of structures that are subjected to dynamic loads. The results, also confirmed by tests that were carried out in Australia with the University of Queensland, show how research and innovation can make building more sustainable.

Close to communities

Sustainability also means the ability to create authentic links with communities and generate positive impact in people's daily lives all over the world. In Italy, MAPEI continues to support Fondazione AIRC, the country’s leading non-profit organization for funding independent cancer research. MAPEI Romania backed Ascendis, a company that works to improve education through career-guidance programs, workshops for teachers, scholarships and training sessions.

In addition, the Sopro subsidiary in Germany has long been involved in the “TuWaS” initiative – “Technik und Naturwissenschaft an Schulen” (Technology and Natural Science in Schools); TuWaS is a program that supports teachers with the aim of introducing young students to science and technology topics in a playful and stimulating way. On National Heroes' Day, MAPEI Indonesia Construction Solutions (Indonesia) partnered with a local foundation to donate wheelchairs to people with disabilities. During the 2024 International Cycling Union (UCI) Road World Championships in Zurich, MAPEI Suisse (Switzerland) organized an event for children with cancer in collaboration with the Green Hope Foundation.

Passion for sport

MAPEI continues to invest in sport with passion, determination and team spirit: The principles that drive the company’s growth and that can be found in the stories of athletes and teams of all nationalities. In football, MAPEI supports Sassuolo Calcio in Italy, Club Atlético Lanús in Argentina and the Grazer Athletiksport-Klub in Austria.

The bond with cycling also continues to grow. MAPEI was the main partner of the 2024 UCI Cycling and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich. In terms of cycling, MAPEI also has supported the following: In the United Kingdom, the Halesowen Cycling Club; in Australia, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race; and in Singapore, the OCBC Cycle 2024 event that involved over 50 MAPEI customers, employees and their families.

From bicycle racing to car racing, MAPEI's commitment to the world of motorsport is growing as well. The company supports driver Rachele Somaschini and is one of the new official sponsors of Toyota Gazoo Racing Italy in the Italian Absolute Rally Championship. Meanwhile, the ocean- navigation project with Ambrogio Beccaria, a world-famous Milanese sailor, continues.

Love for culture

“MAPEI for culture” is more than a slogan: It is MAPEI Group’s long-standing commitment to enhancing the world’s architectural and artistic heritage. This project is underpinned by a spirit of restitution and an attention to the common good, which has led to MAPEI intervening in the restoration of masterpieces, such as the Notre-Dame cathedral, and collaborating with important cultural organizations, such as the Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand (MAANZ), which is supported by MAPEI Oceania.

Many exhibitions have been supported all over the world. MAPEI Hellas supported the exhibition of posters and rare ceramics, dedicated to the artist Pablo Picasso, that was hosted by the European Cultural Centre in Delphi, Greece. MAPEI’s Vinavil subsidiary sponsored an exhibition, dedicated to the famous Milanese artist Enrico Baj who used Vinavil glue in his works, that was held at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. Finally, for the ninth year running, MAPEI renewed its collaboration with the San Domenico Museum in Forlì.

Training for the future

Spreading a culture of sustainability in the building sector also means investing in training and the sharing of knowledge, techniques and technologies with professionals and stakeholders. MAPEI carries out this commitment through its MAPEI Academy, which in 2024 provided around 59,639 hours of technical training to over 332,000 participants. In addition, more than 272,000 hours of training was dedicated to employees, equating to about 21 hours per person. This training is part of a strategy that focuses on professional growth and skills enhancement for a more informed and responsible building industry.

About MAPEI
Founded in 1937 in Milan, MAPEI is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chemical products for the building industry and has contributed to the construction of some of the most important architectural and infrastructural works worldwide. With 98 subsidiaries operating in 59 countries and 106 manufacturing plants in 42 nations, MAPEI Group employs about 13,200 staff worldwide. The foundations for the success of the company are specialization, internationalization, research & development, and sustainability.

Headquartered in Deerfield Beach (Florida), MAPEI North America consists of the subsidiaries MAPEI Corporation (for the USA), MAPEI Inc. (for Canada) and MAPEI Caribe (for Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands), whose 28 facilities collectively have a workforce of about 2,000 employees. MAPEI facilities are certified to be in conformance with requirements in the ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Standards for Management Systems. An environmentally conscious manufacturer that reinvests a percentage of its revenue into R&D, MAPEI offers training for architects, contractors, installers and distributors through the MAPEI Technical Institute. For more about MAPEI, visit www.mapei.com or call 1-800-42-MAPEI (1-800-426-2734).