CONFIRMATION OF STRONG INTEREST FROM INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS IN THE GROUP’S SUSTAINABLE GROWTH STRATEGY, WITH A FOCUS ON WATER RESOURCES

ISSUE WAS MORE THAN THREE TIMES OVERSUBSCRIBED

 

Acea SpA (the “Company”) announces that, pursuant to the Board of Directors’ resolution of 14 May 2026 and following the completion of the bookbuilding process, It has today successfully completed, for the first time, the placement of a Blue Bond issue worth a total of €500m (the “Bonds”). The Bonds will pay a coupon of 3.375% with a 6-year maturity, representing the first Italian public issuance in Blue format.

 

The placement, issued under the Company’s Green & Blue Financing Framework Published on February 13, 2025 and under the €5bn Euro Medium Term Notes (EMTN) programme, by virtue of the Base Prospectus supplemented on 22 June 2026, attracted a significant interest from leading investors from numerous geographical areas with the offer oversubscribed more than three times.

 

The proceeds will be used for financing and/or refinancing selected projects aligned with the Company’s Green & Blue Financing Framework, with particular focus on initiatives dedicated to the sustainable management and security of water resources, including:
 

·       reduction of water network losses and improvement of efficiency;
 

·       strengthening and enhancing the resilience of water infrastructure, including in the context of climate change adaptation;
 

·       improvement of wastewater treatment capacity and quality, promoting water reuse.

 

These initiatives contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), strengthening the resilience and security of the water system, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to the protection of ecosystems.

The Company will ensure transparency and periodic reporting on the allocation of proceeds and the environmental impacts generated, in line with the provisions of the Framework.

 

The Bonds are for sale exclusively to Euromarket institutional investors.

 

The Bonds have a minimum denomination of €100,000 and were placed at an issue price of 99.541%, implying a yield of 3.461%. The Bonds are governed by English law. The settlement date is 2 July 2026. As of that date, the Bonds will be listed on the Regulated Market of the Italian Stock Exchange (MOT).

 

Moody’s and Fitch Ratings are expected to assign to the Blue Bond issued today a rating of Baa1 and BBB+, respectively.

 

Acea’s Co-General Manager, Pier Francesco Ragni, stated:

“The successful Blue Bond issuance confirms the market’s confidence in Acea’s industrial and financial strength, as well as in the consistency of our sustainable growth strategy. The strong interest shown by institutional investors highlights the quality of our credit profile and the relevance of the ESG objectives pursued by the Group. The proceeds from the transaction will be allocated to financing strategic investments in water infrastructure, with the aim of enhancing its efficiency, resilience, and long-term sustainability. Through this initiative, Acea further strengthens its role as a leader in the sustainable management of water resources and continues along its path of creating shared value for stakeholders, local communities, and the environment.”

The placement of the Bond was coordinated by BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs International, Intesa Sanpaolo (IMI CIB Division), and UniCredit, acting as Global Coordinators.

Banca Akros, BBVA, BofA Securities, BPER, Goldman Sachs International, IMI–Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediobanca, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Santander, Société Générale, UniCredit acted as Joint Bookrunners.

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