2023 was a complex year, during which unexpected events occurred that are still influencing economic and political balances around the world. It was also the year in which the UN climate change conference, COP28, reached an agreement to transition away from fossil fuels by 2050.

In this situation of great change and widespread uncertainty, we have all endeavoured to ensure that Mapei remains a strong point in the building sector by exploiting our great experience, the long history we have behind us and our constant commitment to research, which has always been aimed at improving the results achieved and seeking new innovative and sustainable solutions.

Sustainability is one of the pillars on which Mapei is founded. A value that integrates the environmental, social and economic dimensions in a synergetic and virtuous manner, inextricably linked with our way of interacting with communities and people in all the 57 countries of the world where we are present.

For Mapei, the road to sustainability passes first and foremost through research.

We work to offer the construction world innovative high-quality solutions, that can increase the durability of buildings and reduce maintenance, leading to significant savings in all waste recovery and disposal processes and in energy consumption. This is why we measure the impacts that products have on the environment throughout their life cycle using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology with the aim of reducing them, through research and development work, while maintaining quality and durability.

This has allowed us to be, once again, pioneers in our sector and to be the first to propose the Zero Line, a product line whose residual CO₂ emissions are totally offset through the acquisition of certified environmental credits to promote and encourage the implementation of reforestation and biodiversity protection projects.

By 2023, we have offset 67 products including building concrete, waterproofers, paints, products for cleaning and installing ceramics and stone. A number that will grow over time and will involve comprehensive installation systems, with the desire to steer the market towards more ethical and aware practices.

Convinced that only by teaming up with all the players in the supply chain will it be possible to achieve the common goal of decarbonisation and reduction of CO₂ emissions, we source from local suppliers, with the intention of favouring the creation of value for the surrounding area, limiting environmental impacts as much as possible.

We have also further reduced emissions related to the production process by continuing our global investment plan for the installation of photovoltaic systems for self-generation of electricity, avoiding the emission of around 1,400 tonnes of CO₂ into the atmosphere during 2023.

This year we continued on the path of growth. Growth that took place in a healthy and balanced manner, in the conviction that profit must go hand in hand with ethics, respect for people and the creation of value for the territory.

Worldwide, our employees number is about 12,500, and they are the driving force behind every success we achieve. We are proud to guarantee each and every one of them fair professional development based solely on merit.

A commitment that we also strongly wished to formalise in the new version of the Group's Code of Ethics, which confirms and deepens Mapei's desire to guarantee respect for human rights, workers' conditions and the principles of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion in all its activities.

Passion, tenacity, and commitment to keep growing and improving are the values that we share with the world of culture and sport.

That is why we continue to support athletes around the world in a wide variety of sports, from cycling to football, from basketball to ocean sailing, and cultural institutions active in various fields from music to art and design.

In this way, we contribute to the development of communities, which we also support with solidarity and charity initiatives, looking towards the future and the new generations.

Because this is also part of our understanding of sustainability.