E3 Water and marine resources

Impacts, risks and opportunities related to water

(E3 ESRS 2 IRO-1)

To identify water-related impacts, risks, and opportunities, Vetropack assessed its business model and operations by applying the ESRS double materiality process. We involved experts from Engineering and Production together with external stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, shareholders and policymakers. Material impacts, risks and opportunities related to water were identified in our own operations and particularly in glass manufacturing, where water is essential for cooling hot unformed glass, air compressors and electrical transformers. Water circulates in closed-loop systems during this process. Other uses of water include cleaning cullet before it is processed to make new glass containers, and cleaning reusable plastic pads and pallets. Oils and emulsions are used to cut gobs with shears, a process that requires proper treatment of the water before it is discharged or reused.

High levels of water consumption and withdrawal at certain sites may negatively impact local water availability and aquatic ecosystems. Failure to comply with water quality standards or environmental regulations could result in regulatory or financial penalties. In the future, we may face risks related to increasing water scarcity, which could necessitate investments in process adjustments. On the other hand, opportunities for cost reduction and operational resilience may arise from implementing efficient water management practices. The overview of the IROs related to water can be found under Double materiality assessment. At present, no regular consultations regarding water-related impacts, risks and opportunities take place with affected communities.

Policies related to water

(E3-1), (ESRS 2 MDR-P)

Vetropack’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy outlines the company’s objectives and measures for managing its responsibilities in relation to health, safety, and the environment. As regards water, the overarching aims of the policy are to reduce negative environmental impact and handle natural resources responsibly, while maintaining and continuing to develop environmental standards. Environmental protection is a priority throughout the entire lifecycle of Vetropack’s products. This includes adopting a responsible approach to water consumption and discharge, as stated in the policy.

In addition, the Code of Conduct strengthens Vetropack’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Although no specific technical policies for water management are in place, Vetropack implements the measures necessary to address water-related issues, and we ensure compliance with all local regulations by applying the best available technology in production.

All employees are required to take the measures necessary to ensure responsible water management. The policy applies to all employees and entities. With regard to water, the policy focuses on Vetropack’s own operations but also requires environmental awareness throughout the product lifecycle.

Accountability for implementing the Health, Safety and Environmental Policy begins with the Management Board, and the policy is signed off by the CEO. The remit of the Integrated Management System (IMS) department covers quality, health and safety, the environment, and sustainability. This department coordinates and monitors activities related to the environment, including water, and it develops and enacts guidelines to ensure implementation. The Group Sustainability Manager is responsible for the strategic management of water-related impacts, risks and opportunities. The Sustainability Steering Committee oversees related actions. Our Engineering and Production department is responsible for water management in production. Our IMS teams at the sites implement the water‑related policy and ensure that local water‑related requirements are met.

Vetropack’s Health, Safety and Environmental Policy does not explicitly refer to any third-party standards or initiatives, but it is aligned with local environmental legislation. When setting the policy, we took into account the interests of key stakeholders, such as employees (with regard to health and safety), customers, and authorities. The policy is accessible to employees via the integrated management system but is not publicly available. The provisions are set out in writing and translated into local languages to ensure understanding.

Actions related to water

(E3-2), (ESRS 2 MDR-A)

Vetropack’s approach to water management is based on stewardship and compliance with all applicable legal requirements. In glass production, water is primarily used for cooling processes in closed-loop systems, which reduce consumption and the risk of contamination. Environmental criteria – including water consumption – are considered in procurement decisions for new equipment and machinery, as set out in our Procurement Policy. When replacing cooling systems, Vetropack favours the adoption of closed-loop technology and oil-free technologies (such as oil-free compressors) to mitigate the risk of water hazards.

Our water-related actions focus on our own operations. The expected outcomes are a continuous reduction in water withdrawal, consumption, and discharge, as well as ongoing compliance with legal requirements.

Monitoring and measurement of water withdrawal, consumption, and discharge are core elements of our water management. Other actions to save water include the elimination of leakages in water networks, the systematic conversion of all water circuits to closed-loop systems, the prioritisation of air-cooled compressors and transformers, and the installation of adiabatic coolers when cooling towers are replaced.

Water quality, including water temperature, is routinely checked prior to discharge. Water treatment systems are in place to ensure that regulatory thresholds for wastewater are not exceeded. We carefully manage oils and emulsions used in production to prevent contamination of water networks, and our water treatment systems are designed to meet legal discharge requirements.

In the year under review, Vetropack conducted a water risk assessment to identify areas at water risk, including areas of high-water stress. These are defined as regions where the percentage of total water withdrawn is high (40-80 percent) or extremely high (greater than 80 percent) in the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas tool of the World Resources Institute (WRI). We therefore applied the WWF Water Risk Filter and the WRI Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas. This dual-tool approach provided robust, region-specific insights into water supply risks, flooding risks, water quality risks, and regulatory risks. The water risk assessment process involved the following steps:

• setting up the site and extracting tool-based risk indicators
• screening and merging complementary indicators
• assessing relevance and descoping non-applicable indicators
• integrating site-specific water use data (withdrawals, discharge, consumption)
• final risk rating

The assessment concluded that none of Vetropack’s sites are located in areas of ‘high or very high’ water stress, as defined by CSRD/ESRS.

In the year under review, Vetropack achieved its first certification for an environmental management system. Our Croatian site at Hum na Sutli has been certified to ISO 14001, which supports standardised water management.

Targets related to water

(E3-3), (ESRS 2 MDR-T)

Currently, we have not set a target for water.

Metrics related to water

(E3-4, ESRS 2 MDR-M)

Reporting principles: We do not disclose the material datapoints ’Water stored and changes in storage’ and ’Water recycled and reused’ as such data are not yet available at a quality that meets the required criteria. For the other water metrics, we follow the definitions and suggested calculation procedures provided by the ESRS. Water withdrawal is defined as the sum of water drawn from sources such as surface water, groundwater and third‑party water. Water discharge is defined as the sum of water released to surface water, groundwater or third parties; rainwater is likewise excluded if it is not used. Water consumption is calculated as the difference between water withdrawal and water discharge. It represents the amount of water drawn within the boundaries of Vetropack’s facilities that is not discharged back into the water environment. Vetropack’s water metrics cover all owned locations. Leased locations (Zagreb and Bucharest) are excluded. Water meters are the primary source of our quantitative water data.

Metrics on water discharges and water consumption for 2024 have been restated, as the amount of water evaporated at one site had previously not been estimated. Estimates have been made based on the 2025 ratio between water consumption and water withdrawals. Analysis of historical data indicates that this ratio remains stable under typical conditions; therefore, the assumption is considered justifiable.

The increase in all water metrics is related to the commissioning of a new heat recovery system at Boffalora (Italy) and the restart of the furnace at our Ukrainian plant, which led to higher production.