Florim pioneers electric mobility for heavy goods transport

Florim’s pilot e-mobility project began in early May. Volvo electric trucks will reduce CO₂ emissions by 560 tonnes per year.

As one of the world’s leading ceramic groups and an international industry trendsetter, Florim is continuing its virtuous path towards sustainability with an innovative e-mobility project for heavy goods transport. The Fiorano Modenese-based company, a Benefit Corporation which gained B Corp certification in 2020, will use 100% electric heavy goods vehicles made by the Scandinavian firm Volvo Trucks and powered exclusively with energy self-generated in Florim’s photovoltaic installations (a power of 12.2 MWp and a surface area of 64,000 sqm) and its 2 cogeneration plants. Florim is the first ceramic tile producer in the world to promote and implement an electric mobility plan for goods transportation.

The first two Volvo FH Electric 4X2 vehicles with 6 traction batteries (nominal on-board power supply of 540 kWh) will be operational from early May to transport ceramic slabs from the large-size tile production facility in Mordano (Bologna) to the Fiorano Modenese plant for processing and logistics.

Further fully electric vehicles will be added over the coming months to entirely replace the current diesel fleet. The vehicles will make multiple daily trips and when fully operational the entire fleet of 5-6 electric articulated trucks will lead to a reduction of approximately 560 tonnes per year of CO₂ emissions. The vehicles’ electric engines will also reduce noise pollution, resulting in better working conditions for the drivers and a more liveable environment for the residents in the areas affected by goods transport.

“We are determined to reduce our production- and transportation-related CO₂ emissions,” says Claudio Lucchese, Chairman of Florim SpA SB. “We are proud to collaborate with Volvo on this pioneering electric mobility project for goods transportation in the ceramic industry as it enables us to reduce our environmental impact in an area with high levels of pollution caused by heavy goods vehicles.”

Florim has also made investments in the internal charging infrastructures at the Fiorano and Mordano sites to ensure that the batteries are powered by self-generated energy. The choice of most suitable infrastructure, i.e. fast-charging stations that optimise vehicle productivity, was aided by a dedicated Volvo Trucks team in collaboration with specialist partners. The Volvo Trucks charging stations join the existing points used to charge the company’s plug-in hybrid vehicles that are already an integral part of its fleet.

“We support Florim’s decision because we believe in the importance of pursuing sustainability together,” commented Giovanni Dattoli, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Italia. “Innovation and environmental awareness are two key values shared by our companies and have made this first major electrification project possible.”

With state-of-the-art production facilities, distribution companies and partnerships in Europe, America and Asia and a number of flagship stores and single-brand showrooms, the company is well positioned in the world’s top architecture and design cities (Milan, New York, Moscow, Singapore, Frankfurt, London, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Rome). The company employs 1,500 people worldwide and generates revenue of €584 million with the brands FLORIM, CEDIT and FLORIM stone.