Laminam accelerates the transition to carbon neutrality

The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Enel that includes the complete electrification of a Laminam factory and the development of renewables.

Building a sustainable and environmentally friendly production model while accelerating the process of electrification and decarbonisation of a hard-to-abate and gas-intensive sector such as ceramics is the aim of the partnership agreement between Enel and Laminam set out in the memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in May.

The agreement between the multinational energy company and the leader in the field of large ceramic architectural slabs includes several joint initiatives. One of these is an innovative pilot project for full electrification of a factory (beginning with the one in Fiorano Modenese), where the production process will undergo a complete plant and energy overhaul. There is also a plan to revamp the other Laminam facilities currently operating with fossil fuels through electrification, energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy sources (photovoltaics and energy storage systems).

The agreement also includes initiatives in the field of renewable distributed power generation (with the possible creation of Energy Communities) and solutions aimed at optimising energy costs such as peak power reduction and load shedding.

“Laminam has long since chosen sustainability as the cornerstone of its business model, setting out in its Sustainability Report 2020 the pillars on which its sustainable strategy and growth paths are based: governance, products, people and processes,” commented the Fiorano Modenese-based company’s CEO Alberto Selmi. “In this context, the partnership with Enel will enable us to increase the use of renewable sources and progressively electrify our production sites in keeping with our pioneering vision and our goal of becoming a carbon-neutral company.”

Enel, founded 60 years ago, is the world’s largest private renewable energy operator, the top grid operator in terms of number of end users (75 million) and the world leader in demand response.

“Electrification means conceiving, developing and implementing a new model of energy usage and is the only approach capable of combining sustainability with cost-effectiveness,” explains the Director of Enel Italia Nicola Lanzetta. “The road towards zero emissions involves increased use of renewable sources and the electrification of usage and consumption in both industrial and residential applications. This is why we are convinced that the agreement with Laminam, a leading manufacturer of ceramic slabs, marks the beginning of a promising collaboration that will boost the process of decarbonisation of one of the most important Italian supply chains.”