Pillar 1: Unlock innovation

We believe that innovation is a game Changer to build efficient and Sustainable solutions in the civil Explosive and fine chemicals Sectors

«Together with my team, we implement and use drilling and blasting technologies in our everyday work to operate more safely and smartly. An important part of this development is the SSE Science Academy – a platform where employees expand their knowledge and skills, supporting safe and efficient work. Being a parent, reminds me that innovation is also a responsibility for the world we leave behind for the next generation”.

Zbigniew Cichocki
Blasting Engineer, Area Manager, SSE Polska

UNLOCKING INNOVATION IS CENTRAL TO SSE’S LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS AND RESILIENCE.

The Double Materiality Assessment confirmed innovation and green markets among the most material strategic topics for SSE. Stakeholders expect industrial companies to develop more efficient processes, advanced technologies and solutions supporting the transition toward lower-carbon and resource-efficient systems.

Operating in energy-intensive and highly regulated sectors, SSE must continuously improve operational performance while adapting to evolving technological and environmental challenges.

Innovation therefore plays a key role in enabling SSE to strengthen operational excellence while preparing its activities for future industry developments.

Three drivers of innovation
at SSE

Science Academy
Artificial Intelligence
Big Deal

FROM EMERGING INITIATIVES TO A STRONGER INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

In 2025, SSE strengthened several innovation initiatives launched in 2024, contributing to the development of a stronger innovation ecosystem across the Group.

The SSE Science Academy evolved into a competence development platform supporting both business units. It provides engineers, operators and specialists with digital learning modules, mentoring programmes and shared knowledge resources that support collaboration and technical excellence across markets.

At the same time, SSE expanded the exploration of Artificial Intelligence applications to improve operational efficiency, safety and service optimisation, with pilot projects launched across production, maintenance and service activities.

In parallel, the Group initiated Big Deal, a Business Intelligence programme designed to centralise data, strengthen reporting capabilities and support real-time decisionmaking across the organisation.

Together, these initiatives strengthen expertise, digital capabilities and datadriven decision-making across SSE.

“In an industry shaped by technological progress and rising sustainability expectations, innovation must be built on strong capabilities.

In 2025, SSE strengthened the foundations of its innovation ecosystem.
Through the SSE Science Academy, the exploration of Artificial Intelligence applications and the development of advanced data intelligence tools, we are equipping our teams with the knowledge, technologies and insights needed to continuously improve our operations and better support our customers. By combining human expertise with digital innovation, we are strengthening our ability to deliver more efficient processes, smarter solutions and long-term value for the industries we serve.”

Gilles de Preux
CEO SSE Group

SSE Science Academy

Developing expertise and innovation across SSE The SSE Science Academy is a key initiative of the RESONANCE programme, designed to strengthen expertise, accelerate knowledge sharing and support innovation across the Group.

AI-based solutions

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to improve operational and sustainability performance

BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING

Turning data into smarter decisions

AI-based solutions

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to improve operational and sustainability performance

As part of the Unlock Innovation pillar, the AI-Based Solutions initiative explores how data-driven technologies can support safer operations, optimise industrial processes and improve resource efficiency across the Group. By optimising processes and energy use, these technologies strengthen operational performance and safety while contributing to our reduction of carbon emissions trajectory.

Several pilot initiatives are currently being tested across production, maintenance and operational support functions. Through these experiments, SSE is progressively integrating advanced analytics and digital tools into daily operations, building the foundations for a more data-driven and efficient industrial organisation.

“In 2025, our work with Artificial Intelligence is moving from exploration to real operational applications. By turning operational data into actionable insights —from predictive maintenance to blasting performance analysis — we are helping our teams make smarter decisions on the ground. This not only strengthens operational efficiency and safety but also helps us identify opportunities to optimise resource use and reduce the carbon intensity of our operations. AI is becoming an important lever in SSE’s broader operational transformation toward a more data-driven and sustainable industrial organisation ”

Markus Troger
CBDO SSE Group
AI-based solutions Project Manager

AI-BASED SOLUTION KEY HIGHLIGHT

In 2025, SSE advanced several AI initiatives focusing on practical applications with strong operational value:

Predictive Maintenance – Production
Two AI-based tool suppliers were identified, and the decision was taken to acquire an external solution rather than develop one internally. Testing was conducted and evaluated in 2025, with the solution rolled out in the first half of 2026.

AI Drill & Blast Service Optimisation
A reporting tool supporting blasting performance analysis was developed and the concept for AI-supported optimisation was finalised. A shortlist of specialised solutions (QuarryX and Shotplus) has been identified, with technical evaluation planned before defining the deployment roadmap.

AI Communication Facilitator (CoPilot)
Initial testing of AI-assisted communication tools began with small teams, exploring how digital assistants can facilitate collaboration across multilingual teams and international operations.

These initiatives mark an important step toward strengthening data-driven operational capabilities across SSE.

IMPACT ACROSS SSE

The development of AI-based solutions contributes to several dimensions of SSE’s operational transformation:

Operational efficiency
Improving maintenance planning, operational monitoring and process optimisation.

Safer operations
Predictive tools help anticipate equipment failures and support better decision- aking in complex operational environments.

Lower carbon intensity of operations
Optimised processes and improved energy management contribute to reducing operational emissions.

Digital capability development
Building internal expertise in advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making across teams.

Through these initiatives, SSE is progressively strengthening its digital capabilities while supporting both operational excellence and sustainability performance.

HOW IT WORKS

From experimentation to operational deployment

The AI-Based Solutions initiative follows a pragmatic approach based on pilot projects and progressive deployment.

Operational teams identify use cases where advanced analytics could improve performance or safety. Selected technologies are then tested through pilot projects before being evaluated for wider rollout across SSE entities.

This step-by-step approach allows SSE to combine engineering expertise, operational knowledge and digital innovation while ensuring that new technologies deliver tangible value for both operations and sustainability performance.

When we reduce unplanned downtime by double-digit percentages, we don’t just improve performance — we reduce operational waste, optimise resource use and make our production processes genuinely more sustainable. This is exactly what predictive maintenance will deliver in our operations. In 2025, we reached a major milestone by selecting our dedicated technology partner for the upcoming pilot phase, bringing this from concept to reality at SSE. For me, this initiative is not only about production stability and operational efficiency — it directly supports our ESG objectives in a very concrete and measurable way. This is how targeted AI innovation contributes to both the resilience and the environmental performance of our manufacturing sites. And at SSE, we are taking an important step towards higher-performing and sustainable manufacturing.”

Tom Walisch
Project Manager, SSE Switzerland

“I use Microsoft Copilot on a daily basis to review contracts, analyze complex datasets, run focused research, and quickly draft clear and accurate business communications. It significantly reduces time spent on repetitive tasks and allows me to focus on decision making and value creation. Beyond productivity, Copilot supports our RESONANCE ‘Unlock Innovation’ pillar by enabling more data driven, transparent, and efficient ways of working. It helps turn sustainability data, ESG requirements, and operational insights into actionable knowledge — supporting smarter innovation across the Group.”

Ljupcho Dimitrov
Business Development Manager,
SSE Group

SSE Science Academy

Developing expertise and innovation across SSE The SSE Science Academy is a key initiative of the RESONANCE programme, designed to strengthen expertise, accelerate knowledge sharing and support innovation across the Group.

Launched in 2024, the Academy creates a shared learning environment connecting engineers, operators and technical experts across SSE’s Civil Explosives and Fine Chemicals activities. By combining digital learning tools, mentoring programmes and expert collaboration, the initiative supports the development of critical technical skills while reinforcing SSE’s long-term innovation capacity.

“At SSE, strong technical expertise is the foundation of both safety, innovation and responsible operations. With the SSE Science Academy now operational across our Civil Explosives activities and expanding into Fine Chemicals, we are strengthening engineering capabilities, accelerating knowledge transfer and connecting experts across the Group. By investing in structured learning and mentorship, we not only develop our people and attract the next generation of engineers, but also equip our teams to continuously improve operational performance and environmental responsibility across SSE.”

Marcin Rzemiński
CEO SSE Polska

Thomas Bornheim
CEO SSE Deutschland

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY KEY HIGHLIGHT

In 2025, the SSE Science Academy moved from concept to operational deployment within the Civil Explosives business unit, while development advanced for a dedicated
programme in Fine Chemicals. Key milestones achieved during the year include:

4 training modules launched across the Group
257 training participations recorded
Health & Safety – 85 participants
Problem Solving & Innovative Thinking – 43 participants
Generation Management – 43 participants
Geo-Konzept technical workshop – 86 participants
32 mentors engaged across SSE
7 countries / 8 companies involved
Digital learning platform deployed across Civil Explosives

These first results demonstrate strong engagement from engineering teams and confirm the relevance of a structured knowledge-sharing platform across the Group.

IMPACT ACROSS SSE

Beyond individual training modules, the SSE Science Academy contributes to multiple dimensions of SSE’s transformation:

Technical excellence
Strengthening engineering and operational expertise across the workforce.

Knowledge transfer
Facilitating collaboration between experienced experts and younger engineers.

Operational consistency
Supporting shared competence standards across sites and countries.

Innovation capability
Enabling teams to adopt new technologies and improve operational practices.

Talent development
Supporting employee growth and internal career development across the Group.

Through these contributions, the Science Academy helps build the expertise needed to support SSE’s long-term industrial performance and innovation capacity.

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY
CIVIL EXPLOSIVES

A digital platform for learning and collaboration In Civil Explosives, the Science Academy is structured around a digital learning platform oroviding training modules, webinars and mentoring programmes for engineers and operational staff.

Initial modules focus on key operational capabilities, including safety practices, innovation and problem-solving methods, leadership skills and specialised blasting software training. Since the platform’s launch in August 2025, engineers from multiple SSE entities have already accessed the learning modules and knowledge library. The platform allows employees to follow training sessions online, revisit recorded workshops and track their learning progress.

A structured mentoring programme complements the digital platform by connecting experienced experts with younger engineers. Through practical exchanges and real operational case discussions, mentors support the development of technical skills while fostering collaboration across sites and countries.

„The SSE Science Academy shows that learning and development are taken seriously at SSE. As a user of the platform, I see real value in the webinars, training sessions and exchanges with colleagues, because they support both my technical growth and my daily work in the field. It is a practical way to strengthen expertise, share knowledge across borders and build a stronger engineering community within the Group. That kind of investment in people makes a real difference.”

Christian Thomas
Blasting Engineer, SSE Deutschland

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY CLOSER LOOK

FINE CHEMICALS

In Fine Chemicals, the Science Academy is being developed to strengthen expertise in complex chemical processes and support operational excellence.

During 2025, SSE initiated the design of a dedicated competence framework and training architecture tailored to chemical production environments.

The programme will focus on key topics such as process chemistry fundamentals, operational safety, analytical methods and equipment operation.

This work lays the foundations for the progressive deployment of the Academy within Fine Chemicals, ensuring that training programmes reflect the specific technical challenges of advanced chemical manufacturing.

The SSE Science Academy Fine Chemicals initiative was developed to strengthen structured knowledge transfer and training for our employees. In 2025 we defined the concept of the academy and began preparing the digital learning platform together with the first training modules. The goal is to make essential operational knowledge, analytical methods and best practices easily accessible to employees. The project also helps capture valuable expertise from subject matter experts and translate it into practical training content. By establishing this learning environment, SSE is creating a foundation for continuous
competence development. In the future, the Science Academy will support sustainable knowledge sharing and strengthen operational excellence across the organization.

Fredy Salzmann
Training Manager, SSE Switzerland/ Valsynthese SA

Pillar 1: Unlock innovation

UNLOCKING INNOVATION IS CENTRAL TO SSE’S LONG-TERM COMPETITIVENESS AND RESILIENCE.

FROM EMERGING INITIATIVES TO A STRONGER INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM

SSE Science Academy

AI-based solutions

BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING

AI-based solutions

AI-BASED SOLUTION KEY HIGHLIGHT

IMPACT ACROSS SSE

HOW IT WORKS

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY KEY HIGHLIGHT

IMPACT ACROSS SSE

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMYCIVIL EXPLOSIVES

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY CLOSER LOOK

FINE CHEMICALS

SSE SCIENCE ACADEMY
CIVIL EXPLOSIVES