The Acea business model

Sustainability, efficiency and innovation

The natural environment, the local communities and the wider scenario of our stakeholders is the reference framework and scope of the business activities performed by Acea, which are based on a sound governance structure, a precise definition of strategic and operational objectives and an integrated assessment of risks.
Thanks to the efficient management of all these factors, we are able to create shared value in each of our business value chains, by working with respect for the environment, investing in innovation and efficiently managing our infrastructures.

Infographic about the business model of Acea Group

Out target markets

Water supply chain: integrated water service

We manage the integrated water services, among the most essential for the life of citizens, in a transparent and efficient manner, preserving the natural resources and the territory during the entire water cycle. As the leading water services operator in Italy, we protect the water sources, verifying and ensuring that the water resource quality observes the regulatory standards throughout all phases of the water cycle, up to collection and treatment of the wastewater, to reclaim and return the resource to the environment in the same conditions in which it was withdrawn, in order for its natural cycle to resume. We are committed to enhancing the resilience of water infrastructures, technological innovation applied to management and process digitalisation.

Environment supply chain: circular economy

We firmly believe that the circular economy is a means of creating value and one of the most effective levers for the future of the waste treatment business. This is why, within the environment business system, we are committed to waste recovery via the reduction of volumes and related treatment, the conversion into biogas and transformation into compost for agriculture and floriculture, waste-to-energy for energy generation, the recycling into materials that can be reutilised in production processes. In particular, we use integration as part of water activities to recover sewage sludge and send it to be treated for composting purposes. Our aim is to expand in this sector, increasing the volumes and management capacity and the types of material treated (paper, iron, wood, liquid waste, plastic and metals) via the acquisition of new companies.  

Energy supply chain: value-added commodities and services

The purchase of commodities (energy and gas) takes place through trading on market platforms (power exchange), where resellers such as Acea Energia procure energy in order to supply customers according to their respective commercial policies. At Acea, we have built our relationships with customers by both improving the traditional means available – such as telephone communication and counter facilities – and developing contact channels that are increasingly innovative and digital. One area of incremental development concerns the creation of smart services, such as electric mobility, energy for smart residential buildings and home composting.

Energy supply chain: generation

We produce energy at hydroelectric power plants, thermoelectric power (high performance cogeneration) facilities and photovoltaic plants. Acea is expanding its position in the solar power generation sector, also by way of partnerships, with a view to achieving an installed capacity of 750 MW in the medium term.

Energy supply chain: distribution

We are constantly committed to a resilient management of the electricity distribution network and the digital and innovative development of services, in order to cater for an increasingly advanced market that requires us to focus on smart city solutions.

Acea Group sources of differentiation

Sustainability as a core value

Sustainability is the element that defines our business decisions. We are committed to using resources efficiently in the name of a circular economy and to protect the territories in which we operate. We want to actively contribute to the decarbonization and energy transition through innovative projects such as SmartComp, the composting system with IoT technology patented by Acea to manage organic waste produced by major users (airports, canteens, shopping centers…).

Of the 4.7 billion euros set aside by the 2020-2024 Business Plan, 2.1 billion are destined to achieving specific sustainability targets.

Innovation for our businesses

Innovation is an essential factor that enables us to offer services that meet people’s needs increasingly more effectively. We have an open approach to innovation: the objective is to encourage collaboration with external parties to create value for the Group and for our stakeholders. This context served as inspiration for the creation of Waidy Wow, the app that locates fountains and "nasoni" across Italy, allowing them to be monitored and getting users involved in reporting issues, participating in contests, and getting information on how water resources are managed.

€615 million planned investments in innovation.

People at the center

We promote personal development programs to add value to the Group’s human capital. This is why we invest in training our people with skill development projects. We have structured our corporate welfare system to increase the well-being of our people. We are committed to ensuring our people drive the company’s change: this idea led to organizing the Innovation Garage, the program dedicated to the development of the entrepreneurial spirit of our people.

208,391 training hours provided, up by 23% compared to 2021

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Highlights

Discover the latest news and initiatives of the Acea Group