Arriving at the market square, a farmer unstacks fruit and vegetable crates from his van and sets up his stall. As the last clients finish their purchases, he throws away the wooden crates that are no longer in good condition. Little does he know that these old, broken crates will be transformed into Italian designer furniture.

Saviola Holding is an Italian company that participates in the circular economy by making chipboards and furniture out of recycled wood. Crates, pallets, broken furniture, and garden clippings enter Saviola’s premises to be cleaned, separated, and pressed before being transformed into new, 100% recycled wood panels.

Each year, the company collects and processes enough old wood to fill the Rome Colosseum 30 times over. Its products save almost 3 million trees each year, equal in surface to the city of Rome.

The European Investment Bank provided a €115 million loan to Saviola to help make production more environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

To make the most of the EIB loan and get on the right track to make its production process greener, Saviola turned to the Bank’s advisory experts. External consultants and EIB experts analysed the emissions inventory of the company’s production systems and supply chain and advised Saviola on setting targets to reduce emissions in the medium and long term.

This will enable the company to develop a decarbonisation plan in line with the EIB PATH framework. The framework ensures that the Bank’s borrowers and the projects it finances are aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The EIB’s financial and advisory support has enabled the company to reach the next level of decarbonising its production processes. This means that your next purchase of Italian designer furniture will have made the most of recycled wood, with minimal impact on the environment.