CDP is supporting the Saviola Group, a leader in the production of ecological panels made from 100% recycled wood, with 30 million euros for investment in research, development, innovation and production site efficiency.
The Group's evolution The Saviola Group was founded in 1963 on the banks of the Po, in the Province of Mantua. Its founder, Mauro Saviola, had the vision to transform his carpentry business into a chipboard panel industry. The early '90s saw a turning point, with an expansion into the use of recycled wood: that's how the ecological panel, the company's flagship product, was conceived. Over the years, the company started working in chemicals in addition to wood, making it the largest Italian producer and among the first in Europe for resins, and recently in life sciences, to create new products with a low environmental impact for agriculture, animal feeds and the tanning of leather.
The numbers With around 1,500 employees across 13 production sites in Italy and around the world, as well as 1 design centre in Germany, the group works in a vertically integrated way, from the production of resins used in the production process of panels, to ready to assemble products. This is the result of an acquisition, synergy and product portfolio expansion strategy, which has led to the consolidation of a single model in the target market over time.
Turnover exceeds 600 million euros, with over 40% from Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America. The group's foreign presence is strengthened by its ability to strike commercial agreements with local distributors and it enter into the supply chains of new producers. The results are achieved thanks to having a diversified client portfolio, which includes many of the main Large Organised Distribution operators in Europe, and a focus on high-end products, paying attention to design and the quality of the materials.
Sustainability Saviola stands out for environmental sustainability in its production, designed and conducted according principles of the circular economy. The Group is the only operator in the world to only use recycled wood in the production of its chipboard panels. The recycling takes place through a widespread network of collection centres, spread across Italy and Europe. This way,Saviola is able to recover over 1.2 million tonnes of used wood for use in the production process. With this investment, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti confirms its role in support of Italian companies, especially those with a constant commitment to innovative technology and expansion in international markets. By financing Saviola, which has a production model in line with the circular economy, CDP contributes to the achievement of goals 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation and 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.