Gruppo B&T looks to a greener future

New impetus for research into hydrogen technology for kilns and dryers. The investments are supported by a €10 million loan from BNL BNP Paribas and backed by the SACE Green Guarantee.

Gruppo B&T of Formigine is looking ahead to a more sustainable future with zero emissions from fossil fuels. Over the years, the group has adopted a policy of continuous investment and launched new solutions onto the market, enabling it to establish its credibility and gain a strong position in international markets. In particular, it has focused on energy saving and the efficiency of machines and plants and now intends to step up the pace of development of its green technologies, with special emphasis on kilns and dryers.

In this new research phase, the group led by Fabio Tarozzi will have access to a €10 million loan provided by BNL BNP Paribas and backed by SACE’s 80% Green Guarantee, a 7-year credit line which will contribute to the development of new engineering solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of hydrogen.

Fabio Tarozzi, the group’s Chairman and CEO, commented: “This important funding confirms the financial sector’s confidence in our Group’s strategy of promoting sustainable production systems. We will increasingly place the environment at the heart of our development process.”

To emphasise its commitment to sustainability, Gruppo B&T organised a thought-provoking event entitled “bt-GREEN - The Voice of the District” on 20 October at bt-Space. The event brought together representatives of institutions, businesses and associations to discuss the topic of the ecological transition in the light of European legislation mandating emissions reductions by 2030. The following took part in the two panel discussions: Stefano Bonaccini (Emilia-Romagna regional governor), Elisabetta Gualmini (Chair of the European Parliament Ceramics Forum), Michele Barcaiuolo (Senator), Giovanni Savorani (Chairman of Confindustria Ceramica), Paolo Lamberti (Chairman of Acimac), Alessandro Bianchini (Technical Director of Gruppo B&T), Franco Manfredini (Chairman of Casalgrande Padana), Andrea Ronchi (CEO CO₂ Advisor of Principal Aramix-Datrix Group), Armando Meletti (Country Manager Italia at Altadia Group) and Marcello Romagnoli (Professor at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Director of the MO.RE. H2 Research Centre).

A number of key issues emerged during the debate, including the need to create adequate infrastructures, to train specialised personnel to support the green industrial revolution and to prevent the race towards sustainability from becoming a cause of inequality by penalising companies like the Italian tile producers – particularly those located in the Sassuolo ceramic district – who have been adopting virtuous environmental practices for years.

 “The machinery manufacturers are ready for this huge leap forward. The technologies already exist, what is lacking is the time and infrastructure for their implementation.

At Gruppo B&T, we believe in hydrogen technology for thermal processes and are investing in this fuel because we are firmly convinced that it represents the future direction for the industry,” concluded Fabio Tarozzi.