Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
CAV. Giancarlo Dani
Valerio Mazzasette
Dear Stakeholder,
We are thrilled to welcome you to the pages of the 9th edition of our Sustainability Report, a journey that not only chronicles the milestones we have achieved, but also celebrates the resilience and determination with which we have faced a year marked by geopolitical instability and global economic challenges.
Despite the contraction of volumes compared to 2023, DANI S.p.A. chose not to stop, reinforcing the investment plan undertaken the previous year. It has been a year of courage and vision, in which we have turned difficulties into opportunities, keeping a steady course towards a sustainable future.
Projects that made the difference:
· In Italy, the “Opera” project revolutionised the Operations & Innovation Management area, improving production efficiency, reducing waste and implementing a data collection system that allowed us to see beyond appearances, optimising every step of the process.
· In America, we renovated our showrooms and ready-in-stock warehouses, taking a concrete step towards a more sustainable global presence.
Sustainability is not a goal, but a daily commitment. We have enhanced certified environmental and employee health protection initiatives, reconfirming our role as custodians of a balance between progress and responsibility. A thank you that goes beyond words, addressed to all those who, with unwavering commitment and a sense of belonging, have contributed to writing these pages. Each of your gestures, each idea, each challenge overcome is the engine that drives us to build a fairer and more inclusive world.
And to you, dear Stakeholders, who with your trust and attention support us along this journey, we wish you to read these pages not just as an act of knowledge, but as an approach towards a shared vision.
With gratitude,
CAV. GIANCARLO DANI
Chief executive officer and chairman
VALERIO MAZZASETTE
Managing director, DANI S.p.A.
Approach to sustainability
DANI brands
Passion for quality and innovation. And above all: respect, for what we do, for people, animals and the environment. Since 1950, the DANI Group has been acknowledged and has distinguished itself in the world for its way of being, thinking and working.
Since 2017, DANI S.p.A. has adhered to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), incorporating the 10 of the principles advocated by the United Nations into its initiatives:
Involvement of stakeholders and materiality matrix
Involving stakeholders in the group’s activities is an essential step in reconciling both sustainable development and the company’s economic performance.
Internal
For DANI, the main and most important internal stakeholders are its employees, who are invited and involved to express their opinion on issues they consider important, by filling in specific formats, listening desks and through their representatives.
EXTERNAL
DANI has involved its external stakeholders in a dialogue aimed at identifying, using a predefined methodology, the issues of greatest interest, in order to define and plan strategies and objectives in the field of sustainability.
THE MOST RELEVANT ISSUES FOR DANI AND ITS STAKEHOLDERS
Natural
resources
PROTECTION OF BIODIVERSITY
SOIL AND SUBSOIL PROTECTION
CIRCULAR ECONOMY, DURABILITY AND PRODUCT END-OFLIFE
REDUCED USE OF CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
WASTE RECOVERY
SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY
REDUCED AIR POLLUTION
RESPONSIBLE WATER CONSUMPTION AND PROTECTION OF WATER SOURCES
RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND ENERGY EFFICENCY
INNOVATION AND LOW IMPACT PRODUCT
CLIMATIC CHANGE AND CORPORATE DECARBONISATION
Attention
towards people
SUPPORT TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND SOCIAL COHESION
COLLABORATIONS WITH SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES
CONSUMER AWARENESS AND GOODS HEALTH AND SAFETY
CORPORATE WELFARE PROMOTION
GENDER EQUALITY GUARANTEE
ENSURING ANIMAL WELFARE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF WORKERS
SAFEGUARDING OF HUMAN RIGHTS
ETHICS, ANTI-CORRUPTION AND UNFAIR COMPETITION
BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND PRIVATE LIFE
Environmental
impact
CREATION OF ECONOMIC ADDED VALUE
CORPORATE PROFITABILITY
TRACEABILITY OF THE PRODUCT AND RAW MATERIALS
PRODUCT QUALITY
COMPANY AND PRODUCT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
We certify our goals because they are proof of our daily commitment to improving the safety of workers, the quality of our products, the reliability of our processes and the environmental compatibility of our production processes.
CONSCIOUSLY TAKING THE FIRST STEP MEANS THE JOURNEY HAS STARTED.
MEASURING TO DO BETTER. WHAT YOU DISCOVER CHANGES YOU, AND ALSO CHANGES THE WORLD.
MONITORING SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE TO GUARANTEE TRANSPARENCY TOWARDS ALL STAKEHOLDERS.
OFFERING GUARANTEES OF CONFORMITY IN RELATION TO SUPPLY CHAIN TRACEABILITY AT ALL STAGE, ALSO UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM.
EACH STEP OF THE JOURNEY MARKS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE WERE.
rating esg
The EcoVadis rating gave us a Platinum score for 2024, placing DANI among the 1% of virtuous companies that manage to achieve the highest level (each year more than 150,000 companies in total are monitored worldwide).
The EcoVadis platform allows companies to monitor their own sustainability performance and that of their suppliers, manage supply chain risks and propose improvement plans to suppliers. Of the four pillars on which the assessment by EcoVadis experts is based, the sections dedicated to Environment and Sustainable Sourcing were decisive for the successful final result, offering further confirmation of the significant joint commitment on these issues by DANI and its partners.
Economic sustainability
In 2024, the economic value of our reclassified operating costs amounted to 87 million 855 thousand euros and mainly included costs incurred for the purchase of raw materials, consumables and goods, costs for services, costs for the use of third-party assets, remuneration of directors and statutory auditors, and other operating expenses. We distributed 28 million 8 thousand euros to staff and collaborators, representing 24% of the total economic value distributed.
This amount includes costs incurred for wages and salaries, bonuses and other payments, social security contributions, provisions for pension plans and other employee costs. We allocated 1 million 415 thousand euros to lenders, due to financial charges, and to the Treasury, for taxes for the financial year. A sum of 32 thousand euros has been allocated to the community in the form of contributions and donations. With this initiative, we aim to generate a direct and indirect impact on the development of the area, for the benefit of local communities. We retained 3 million 726 thousand euros, mainly in relation to the operating result allocated to reserves, depreciation, provisions and write-downs.
| BALANCE SHEET DATA | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Economic value generated by DANI S.p.A. | € 121.036 | € 138.967 |
| Economic value distributed by DANI S.p.A. | € 117.310 | € 134.856 |
| of which Reclassified operating costs | € 87.855 | € 103.473 |
| of which Employee Remuneration | € 28.008 | € 29.701 |
| of which Remuneration to Lenders | € 1.415 | € 1.595 |
| of which Remuneration of the Community | € 32 | € 87 |
| Economic value withheld by DANI S.p.A. | € 3.726 | € 4.111 |
Environmental sustainability
WATER AND WASTE WATER
Water is one of the most important natural resources, also in leather processing. The internalisation of the production chain has allowed Dani to optimise consumption, achieving a significant reduction in water demand and, at the same time, a different and more homogeneous configuration of industrial waste.
BY-PRODUCTS AND WASTE
We have demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability through a production process that maximises the recovery of by-products, maintaining a recovery rate of over 98% in the three-year period 2022-2024. The data confirm a decrease in the production of waste for disposal and the maintenance of a high recovery rate.
We are making significant progress in minimising waste and promoting a circular economy model.
EMISSIONS: GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY
For several years now, we have chosen to measure our carbon footprint at an organisational level, going beyond the analysis of products alone and also including direct and indirect processes. This advanced methodology provides us with detailed data at various levels, which is essential for examining, identifying and monitoring actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions over time. In compliance with ISO 14064:2019, we have prepared an inventory of our GHG emissions, which has subsequently been submitted for validation.
CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGY
In line with our ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership in the tanning industry, we have outlined an ambitious decarbonisation strategy. This strategic plan represents our roadmap towards significantly reducing the carbon footprint of our operations and products, while resolutely addressing the challenges of climate change. Our strategy is based on an in-depth and ongoing analysis of our environmental impact, which includes detailed Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of our products and meticulous measurement of our Corporate Carbon Footprint (CCF).
Involvement of the value chain
Process efficiency and optimisation
Energy transition
Technological and methodological innovation
Strategic and systematic approach
Management of energy aspects
In line with our commitment to responsible resource management and minimising our environmental impact, we hereby report our total energy consumption for the period 2022-2024. These figures provide us with a solid basis for assessing the progress we have made in the field of energy efficiency.
| BALANCE SHEET DATA | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural gas (m3) | 3.120.109 | 3.065.281 | 3.235.874 |
| Diesel (kg) | 61.200 | 46.750 | 47.600 |
| Electricity (kWh) | 13.344.800 | 12.421.651 | 12.652.285 |
| Consumption (TOE/kg processed leather) | 0,000163 |
0,000179 |
0,000175 |
Traceability
For us, ensuring complete, transparent and verifiable traceability throughout the entire supply chain is a strategic imperative to guarantee consumers the quality and sustainability of our products. With this in mind, we have been certifying the European origin of over 95% of the raw hides we have been purchasing for years, effectively excluding procurement from areas at risk of deforestation or from countries with inadequate animal welfare regulations and ineffective controls.
The systems we adopt to guarantee the traceability of raw materials and respect for animal welfare at all stages of their lives are rigorously certified and verified by independent third-party bodies. Thanks to accurate recording of information on the origin of the animals, their rearing conditions and the general treatment they receive, we can monitor and verify the sustainable origin of the raw material right down to the finished product, ensuring compliance with ethical and environmental standards. Our commitment to ensuring traceability throughout the entire supply chain is demonstrated by having obtained the ICEC “Animal Welfare Risk Analysis” certification and the TS SC 410 “Raw Material Traceability for all hides” certification.
*Source: internal revision on the value purchase of the total raw material for year 2024
Social sustainability
Initiatives aimed at employees
For many years, our vision of sustainability has been focused on putting into practice the many social aspects that define a responsible organisation: fairness, protection of human rights, promotion of talent and the battle against discrimination.
Cesare Pozzo Supplementary Health Fund and Corporate Welfare Benefits
In 2024, we confirmed our partnership with National Mutual Aid Society Cesare Pozzo ETS to guarantee supplementary healthcare services to all our employees, with the option of extending the benefits to their families. The key feature of this service is the monthly help desk for our employees: By appointment, you can meet with professionals made available by our partner Cesare Pozzo at our company to discuss specific issues and submit documentation.
The active Health Fund also provides for the annual reinvestment of a portion of profits in favour of members, according to a mutualistic logic. Thanks to this virtuous mechanism, in 2024 we were able to supplement our corporate welfare plans by granting additional benefits to our employees, in particular:
- Baby bonuses worth 250 euros each, which were paid out to 16 families of employees;
- Free LTC coverage for all employees (Long Term Care: care protection that guarantees a monthly allowance for those who are not self-sufficient).
Training
During 2024, training hours decreased in absolute terms compared to the previous year. However, we have placed particular emphasis on language learning and technical training for the workshops, which have been the hallmarks of our activities.
The Italian language course for foreigners was particularly significant, involving 15 participants divided into three classes, for a total of 225 hours of lessons. While the immediate goal, which was fully achieved, was to enable employees from other countries to acquire the correct language skills, the course proved to be an excellent tool for integrating people and cultures in general.
| BALANCE SHEET DATA | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total hours worked | 1.172.970 | 1.173.764 | 1.043.336 |
| Total training hours | 13.535 | 8.651 | 5.864 |
| Ratio of training hours to hours worked | 2,25% | 0,74% | 0,58% |
| Average training hours per capita | 19,9 |
12,67 |
8,93 |
External activities: events and communication
Trade Fairs
For DANI, participation in trade fairs offers a very effective tool for promoting products and services, as well as a unique opportunity for networking.
Summer Party
The evening, dedicated to the employees of the Arzignano production plants, allowed them to renew their loyalty to the company and enjoy an evening together with their colleagues and their families.
DANI Academy
Three partnerships have been established with as many Italian and foreign institutes and universities in different fields. Multidisciplinary staff and young talents have visited DANI, and together we have promoted the culture of creativity and design made in Italy.
Life Magis
DANI was selected to participate in the LIFE MAGIS - Made Green in Italy project, promoted by the Ministry of Ecological Transition, which aimed to highlight the commitment of Italian companies that have measured their product environmental footprint to identify the most significant areas of impact in order to make improvements.
Objectives achieved and next steps
GOALS OF THE PREVIOUS SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
REDUCTION IN WOOD PACKAGING -15%
- 16,83%
REDUCTION IN PLASTIC PACKAGING -15%
+ 11,47%
COD REDUCTION IN INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER -5%
- 6,54%
REDUCTION IN PAPER USE -25%
- 50%
COMPARED TO 2023
OBTAINING THE ORGANISATION CARBON FOOTPRINT CERTIFICATION ISO 14064-1
100%
CERTIFICATION OBTAINED
OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE
R&D:Extend and further develop new technologies across the various collections, constantly striving to achieve the best performance and results in terms of lower content of specific products, such as bisphenols, and lower consumption of resources, whether energy, time or water.
IMPACT:5% reduction in the organisation’s carbon footprint.
EUDR:Following new European legislation against deforestation, DANI has decided to adopt more responsible sourcing policies, choosing raw materials from low-risk areas.