ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP IS ´GREEN CORE´

Rimini, 20th March 2023 – Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) - listed on Borsa Italiana's Euronext, leader in Italy in the organisation of trade shows and congresses with its facilities in Rimini and Vicenza and one of the main players in the exhibition and events sector on a global level, has been pursuing a policy of environmental sustainability for over 20 years under the 'green core' trademark.
Strategies, communication, sustainable activities, best practices, consciously managed facilities, trade shows focused on the environment or central to IEG.
IEG is certified ISO 14001 Environment and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, GBAC STARTM, Global Biorisk, Advisory Council and ISO20121 sustainable event management system.

RIMINI AND VICENZA EXPO CENTRES The Rimini Expo Centre was designed and is managed under the banner of low environmental impact (which is why it was also awarded the prestigious international Elca ‘Building and Green' award in Nuremberg). Both the Vicenza and Rimini premises boast best practices and sustainable structural interventions.160,000 SQUARE METRES OF GREEN The indoor and outdoor green areas of Rimini Expo Centre cover 160,000 square metres with over 1,500 plants and 30,000 square metres of turf (and the irrigation systems only use surface groundwater).

A SPECIAL LIGHT Rimini Expo Centre halls have large windows and skylights that provide predominantly natural light. A total of 850 LED spotlights are installed in the area, reducing consumption by 66 per cent and generating annual energy savings of 720,000 Kwh with a 120 tonnes/year reduction in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Infrared systems and timers have been installed to switch on the lights in the technical rooms, toilets and office corridors: more than 2,000 light fixtures for a total of 60 kW of power consumption and energy savings of 60,000 kWh per year.

WOOD The dominating feature of Rimini Expo Centre architecture is wood that comes from responsibly managed forests in Scandinavia. The same wood can be found in the central hall at Vicenza Expo Centre.

PHOTOVOLTAICS IN KEY ROLE Since 2022, between Rimini and Vicenza, the entire complex of IEG's exhibition and congress facilities boasts photovoltaic systems for a total installed power of 7,525 kWp producing 8.5 million kWh of clean electricity, enough to make all its premises in Italy self-sufficient. This is equivalent to the needs of 2,982 households and saves the environment 4.5 million tonnes of CO2. The systems are integrated into the roofs of the facilities.

WATER SAVINGS The large fountains at Rimini Expo Centre all function on recirculated water and, during periodic emptying, the water is treated and reused to irrigate the green areas. The pressure in the water jets in the toilets inside the Expo Centre is also controlled (in total a saving of 23 million litres of water per year). In the outdoor areas, signs indicate where cigarette butts can be disposed of, which are then collected and sent for recycling.

LATEST GENERATION AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING Rimini Expo Centre's air conditioning and heating are provided by means of a heat pump system consisting of 32 compressors with inverter technology for a maximum power of 1600 kW, installed above the central hall, with a considerable reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional systems, as well as through a system consisting of two centrifugal refrigeration units, equipped with cooling towers and a series of traditional and condensing boilers.


At the Vicenza Expo Centre, in line with the latest energy policies, IEG has three latest-generation modular condensing boilers. For each day of operation at full capacity, the energy savings could heat a block of 50 apartments.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION SUPERVISION In 2021, an energy monitoring system was installed at Rimini Expo Centre which allows IEG to manage all electrical and mechanical systems remotely via PCs and smartphones and to control consumption by means of 400 measuring devices connected to the system. All energy consumption inside and outside the Expo Centre can thus be optimised and monitored, electricity consumption correctly distributed, resulting in reduced waste, lower costs and less pollution into the atmosphere.

SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY Unique on the Italian exhibition scene, Rimini Expo Centre railway station is located on the Milan-Bari line: the train is used by 20% of visitors, thus reducing traffic and pollution. The station's volumetric architecture also has no impact on the environment. Numerous bicycle racks have also been installed at the entrances.

ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING POINTS The Rimini and Vicenza centres boast 20 electric car charging stations a total of 40 , all constantly connected to the Expo Centres' networks.

GOOD PRACTICES IN THE OFFICES Also under the banner of ‘good practices' is eco-efficiency in the distribution and use of printing peripherals at the Rimini and Vicenza Expo Centres and in the offices in Milan and Arezzo, with savings in energy and carbon dioxide emissions.

PANELS AND CARPETS BECOME GREEN At the Vicenza Centre, IEG has replaced the use of forex panels with sublimation printing on fabric, which can be recycled and reintroduced onto the market. Moreover, IEG no longer uses carpeting for events. And at those trade fairs where, due to format or type of merchandise, this is not possible, the carpeting is environmentally friendly and recyclable, saving the environment more than 140 tonnes of carpeting per year.

THE PALACONGRESSI CONFERENCE CENTRE IN RIMINI Thanks to a path that connects the sea to the city, known as the 'green ray', conference participants can now reach the facility on foot or by bicycle. Every room benefits from natural light and fluorescent light fittings equipped with the latest generation systems. A rainwater recovery system optimises water usage and irrigates the green areas, while the ice storage system provides free cooling and microclimate control. Information and directions are provided by dynamic video-based signage, thus saving paper. Separate waste collection, organic waste for composting and the use of low-pollution hygiene products are also practiced.

CATERING Further attention is paid to the environment in the refreshment areas managed by Summertrade, an IEG Group company, at the various IEG venues with the use of compostable crockery or washable material and detergents with low environmental impact and low chemical risk. There is a close connection with the territory in terms of the gastronomic offer and CO2 emissions into the atmosphere are low thanks to the proximity of the main suppliers. Summertrade was one of the first companies in Italy to join the Food For Good project against food waste and has given a 'second life' to 30,000 meals since 2015.

SUSTAINABLE FITTINGS
With its outfitting company Prostand, IEG continues along a path towards low environmental impact by guaranteeing a sustainable supply chain with zero waste and a reduction in Co2 emissions with modular and foldable furnishings that decrease volume by 70% and lower Co2 emissions due to road transport. Energy consumption is reduced by replacing incandescent and fluorescent bulbs with latest generation LED lights. The use of FSC and PEFC certified wood products and low-resin paints also reduces the environmental footprint.

GREEN TRADE SHOWS In 1996, Rimini Expo Centre witnessed the birth of RICICLA, the first trade show dedicated to material and energy recovery. The event went on to become the European giant of the circular economy and is now called ECOMONDO. This was followed by KEY for renewables, INTERMOBILITY BUS EXPO, the trade show for sustainable mobility, SOLAR EXHIBITION CONGRESS & EXPO and DPE- DISTRIBUITED POWER EUROPE. On a global scale, IEG's agenda also includes Ecomondo Mexico and Chengdu International Environmental Protection Expo.
However, attention to the environment is transversal at all IEG trade shows. At VICENZAORO and OROAREZZO, held respectively in Vicenza and Arezzo, CSR and material sourcing policies are central topics as is the more general theme of sustainability for the entire jewellery supply chain. In Rimini, SIGEP and BEER & FOOD ATTRACTION focus on the theme of food waste, packaging and issues related to the conscious management of agriculture, while TTG Travel Experience focuses on sustainability in travel. Myplant & Garden in Milan, on the other hand, promotes green culture, the circular economy, environmental protection and green design.


PRESS CONTACT IEG media@iegexpo.it
Elisabetta Vitali - head of corporate communication & media relation
Marco Forcellini - press office manager
Silvia Giorgi, international press office manager


This press release contains forecast elements and estimates that reflect the management's current opinions ('forward-looking statements'), particularly regarding future management performance, realization of investments, cash flow trends and the evolution of the financial structure. For their very nature, forward-looking statements have a component of risk and uncertainty, as they depend on the occurrence of future events. The effective results may differ (even significantly) from those announced, due to numerous factors, including, only by way of example: food service market and tourist flow trends in Italy, gold and jewellery market trends, green economy market trends; the evolution of raw material prices; general macroeconomic conditions; geopolitical factors and evolutions in the legislative framework. Moreover, the information contained in this release does not claim to be complete, and has not been verified by independent third parties. Forecasts, estimates and objectives contained herein are based on the information available to the Company as at the date of this release.


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