Clarios Expands CSR Commitment in Spain with National STEM Talent Girl Initiative
Clarios with its leading brand in EMEA VARTA, launches its first nationwide CSR initiative in Spain under the EMEA Lighthouse framework.
The initiative expands our collaboration with ASTI Foundation's STEM Talent Girl program to all Clarios sites in Spain.
As a Platinum Partner, Clarios will provide mentoring, activities, and resources for girls in school and university to inform and inspire them to pursue careers in the industry.
MADRID/BURGOS, 2. September 2025. Clarios, the global leader in low-voltage battery solutions and owner of the VARTA brand in the automotive sector has officially launched its first nationwide Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in Spain. Implemented in close partnership with the ASTI Talent & Tech Foundation through the STEM Talent Girl program, this initiative marks the implementation of Clarios’ new Lighthouse framework for strategic CSR efforts in the EMEA region. This flagship initiative aims to inspire and empower young girls in Spain to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Talent Girl program connects girls in school and university with female role models in STEM fields and offers a comprehensive educational journey through masterclasses, mentoring sessions, workshops, company visits and other activities.
The initiative builds on five years of successful local collaboration with the ASTI Foundation, spearheaded by Clarios’ production site in Burgos, which made a significant contribution to the implementation of the STEM Talent Girl program in the surrounding areas. This proven success will now extend to other Clarios sites in Spain, solidifying Clarios as a Platinum Partner. This expansion will broaden the program's reach and impact in key regions including Madrid, Valladolid, Valencia, and Alicante. Furthermore, the Burgos team will assume a leadership role, supporting other plants as they join the initiative and helping to shape a unified, impactful CSR program for the entire country.
“Clarios is a great example of how companies can support systemic change,” said Lucía López, Director of Institutional Relations at the ASTI Foundation. “To close the gender gap in STEM, we need long-term collaboration between education and industry. When girls meet real professionals and see where their interests can take them, it changes what they believe is possible”.
Eduardo Quintanal, Plant Manager, Clarios Burgos, emphasized that for Clarios, “this is more than a CSR initiative; it’s a long-term commitment to inclusion, innovation, and future leadership.” This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Irina Kudenko, CSR Lead at Clarios EMEA: “At Clarios, we want to empower young talent to shape the future of mobility and sustainability. The automotive industry is evolving, with talent diversity becoming crucial for industry growth and sustainability. By participating in this program, we want to inform young people about this exciting change and inspire more young females to join our ambitious move towards innovation and sustainability.”
The initiative is part of Clarios’ wider engagement with STEM education and inclusion across Europe. The company is also an active member of the Scientix STEM Alliance, a European platform that connects businesses and educators to foster collaboration in science and technology learning.
For more information please contact:
Claudia Bölter
Director Communications EMEA Clarios
Phone: (+49) 173 6598442
E-mail: claudia.boelter@clarios.com
Karolin Rau
Burson GmbH
Phone: (+49) 173 664 0032
Email: clarios@bursonglobal.com
Contact from ASTI
Lucía López Calvo
Director of Institutional Relations
ASTI Foundation
Phone: (+34) 650 73 45 76
Email: lucia.lopez@astifoundation.com
About Clarios
Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility and owner of the VARTA brand in the automotive sector. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network
About the ASTI Talent & Tech Foundation
The ASTI Talent & Tech Foundation is a Spanish non-profit organization committed to promoting STEM education, digital skills, and gender equality. Through programs like STEM Talent Girl, the foundation connects students with mentors and professionals to foster interest in science and technology careers, especially among young women. ASTI works to build a more inclusive and competitive society by developing talent and strengthening collaboration between education and industry.