Novaref publishes its first Sustainability Report

The document marks the initial step in a structured reporting process covering environmental, social and governance (ESG) activities.

With the publication of its first Sustainability Report based on the VSME standard, Verona-based refractory roller manufacturer Novaref has launched a structured reporting process for its ESG activities, formalising organisational practices and tools that have long been part of the company’s operations.

In the document’s introduction, CEO Marco Gramigna explains that the report is not an end in itself but the first milestone in an evolving ESG roadmap. This journey began in 2025 with a materiality analysis to identify and prioritise key sustainability issues – primarily those related to energy consumption, given that the product requires firing cycles of up to 1700°C.

Initiatives already undertaken by the company include: energy audits of production processes; systematic monitoring of energy consumption, with a particular focus on thermal plants, compressed air systems and auxiliary utilities; and an analysis of plant energy performance to identify potential efficiency upgrades. Looking ahead, these activities will support the evaluation of thermal process optimisation, the potential introduction of lower-emission technologies such as automated kiln management systems and the continued strengthening of energy management systems.

Product design is another key strategic element. Novaref’s refractory rollers are engineered for high durability and dimensional stability, reducing replacement frequency and ensuring operational continuity in customers’ kilns. This approach brings indirect benefits for overall firing process efficiency, extending the impact of sustainability beyond the company’s own operations.

The Sustainability Report also examines social and governance factors (including work organisation, employee safety and the traceability of decision-making processes) with the goal of achieving more informed and structured management of corporate activities.

Novaref was founded in 1987 in Colognola ai Colli (Verona) and has 56 employees. It has operated in Spain since 2009 through its sales branch Novaref Iberia (Onda) and in 2025 started up production at the Novaref Ceramic Rollers PVT plant in Bharuch (Gujarat, India), leveraging the technological and industrial expertise developed in Italy to serve non-European markets.