RDM Group Hits 2025 Sustainability Targets as Circular Economy Model Delivers Results

RDM Group, a leading European producer of recycled cartonboard and the largest manufacturer in Italy, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Spain, today announced the publication of its Sustainability Report 2025 Pre-Release, marking the halfway point of its ambitious 2020–2030 Sustainability Plan.

The report highlights significant progress across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities, demonstrating how sustainability has become fully integrated into the Group’s strategy, operations, and culture.

“Our sustainability journey is reshaping how we operate, compete, and create value,” said Michele Bianchi, CEO of RDM Group. “Putting ESG at the heart of our strategy has made us financially and operationally more resilient, more innovative, and more responsive to our customers’ needs.”

KEY ACHIEVEMENT: ALL SUSTAINABILITY-LINKED BOND TARGETS MET

RDM Group successfully achieved all three Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) targets set for 2025, delivering measurable environmental improvements while strengthening financial performance.

Key results include:

• Carbon intensity reduced by 20%, from 0.495 tCO₂e/t in 2020 to 0.397 tCO₂e/t in 2025.
• Wastewater discharge intensity reduced by 19%, from 11.06 m³/t to 8.94 m³/t.
• Waste sent for recovery increased from 72.8% to 89.78%, nearly reaching the 2030 target of 90%.

These achievements exceeded the revised targets established when the Sustainability-Linked Bond was refinanced in 2024.

2025 BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Revenue reached €739 million.
• Net salable cartonboard production totaled 1,055 kilotons.
• Total paper recycled amounted to 1,058 kilotons.
• 79% of purchased electricity came from renewable sources, up significantly from previous years.
• RDM Group employed 1,889 direct employees across its operations.

The Group continued implementing structural measures to improve competitiveness, including footprint optimization and strategic operational improvements across its mill network.

ADVANCING THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Circularity remains central to RDM Group’s business model.

In 2025:

• Renewable materials represented 85% of total materials used.
• Paper for recycling accounted for 97% of total fiber-based raw materials.
• 100% of virgin fibers used were FSC®/PEFC certified or FSC® controlled wood.

RDM Group’s products are designed to be fully recyclable and support the transition toward a more circular economy by giving new life to recovered materials.

PRODUCT INNOVATION DRIVING SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING

The Group accelerated innovation efforts to help customers meet evolving sustainability requirements and new European packaging regulations.

Major product developments included:

Vincicoat Ecolaminate
Developed in partnership with Ecopol, Vincicoat Ecolaminate combines recycled cartonboard with a biodegradable barrier film. The product won a 2025 4evergreen Alliance Circularity Success Stories Award for innovation in fiber-based packaging.

Multiboard Barrier
Launched in 2025, Multiboard Barrier is a PE-coated cartonboard made from 100% recycled fibers. The product is fully recyclable and designed for applications such as frozen food, pet food, fruit trays, and detergents.

Vincicoat Plus
A high-strength recycled board developed to provide customers with enhanced performance while maximizing recycled content.

Solid Board Innovations
RDM Group introduced several new products including:
• Eska Display White
• Eska Display Duo White
• Eska Strong Board
• Eska Pure
• Eska Aqua

These innovations expand sustainable alternatives for premium packaging, displays, publishing, and luxury applications.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REMAIN THE TOP PRIORITY

Health and safety remains the most material issue for the Group.

The Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) Program has now been implemented in five mills and is being extended throughout the organization. The initiative focuses on employee engagement, peer-to-peer safety observations, training, and continuous improvement.

RDM Group continues to pursue its long-term goal of achieving zero accidents across all operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE AND DECARBONIZATION

RDM Group continued advancing its environmental agenda through investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, emissions reduction, water stewardship, and waste recovery.

Key environmental achievements include:

• 20% reduction in carbon intensity since 2020.
• 19% reduction in wastewater discharge intensity since 2020.
• Significant increase in renewable electricity usage to 79%.
• Ongoing investments in wastewater treatment systems and closed-loop water management.
• Expansion of renewable energy projects in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain.

The Group also continued exploring innovative partnerships and technologies to improve resource efficiency and circularity.

PEOPLE, DIVERSITY, AND DEVELOPMENT

RDM Group maintained its focus on workforce development and inclusion.

Highlights include:

• Women represented 12.2% of the workforce, a 28% increase compared with 2020 and close to the Group’s 2030 target.
• Employees received an average of 12 hours of training during 2025.
• 83% of employees were covered by national collective bargaining agreements.
• Employee engagement survey participation increased to 51%, reflecting stronger workforce involvement.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The Own It! performance improvement program became a key driver of operational excellence during 2025.

Achievements include:

• More than 80 improvement initiatives launched since 2024.
• Projects focused on energy efficiency, raw material utilization, maintenance, and waste reduction.
• Expanded Lean Manufacturing deployment across all mills.
• Continued digital transformation through process standardization, data management enhancements, and cybersecurity improvements.

STRATEGIC GROWTH AND INTEGRATION

The Group continued strengthening its industrial platform through integration activities following recent acquisitions.

Key developments included:

• Continued integration of Fiskeby Board AB in Sweden, resulting in productivity improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Expansion of Eska operations and successful integration of Ovaro mill into the Eska brand portfolio.
• All Eska solid board operations now covered by B Corp certification.
• Continued collaboration with Apollo Funds, RDM Group’s principal shareholder since 2021.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2030

While celebrating the successful completion of its key 2025 objectives, RDM Group is preparing the next phase of its sustainability journey.

In 2026, the Group plans to publish a refreshed Sustainability Plan that will update ambitions and targets for 2030 and beyond.

Future priorities will focus on:

• Health and safety excellence.
• Greater circularity across the value chain.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction and product quality.
• Continued innovation in sustainable packaging solutions.
• Further decarbonization and resource efficiency.

“Over the past five years, sustainability has evolved from a strategic initiative into a deeply embedded way of working across the organization,” said Michele Bianchi. “We have built a strong foundation for the future and remain committed to creating lasting value for customers, employees, communities, investors, and the environment.”