Comunicati: Press release

«Ideas 4 Italgas» Starting the third edition that introduces the permanent scouting formula: an ever-active ‘radar’ on open innovation

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Milan, 28 July 2022 – Reducing the time to introduce new technologies through interaction with an ecosystem that ensures a continuous flow of knowledge to support the achievement of the digitization, operational efficiency and the sustainability targets set in the Italgas 2022-2028 Strategic Plan. With this aim Italgas, the leading operator in Italy and the third in Europe in the natural gas distribution sector, is strengthening its collaboration with SkipsoLabs, a company that provides advisory services and technology platforms for innovation at an international level, through a new initiative dedicated to open innovation.

The initiative is part of the ‘Ideas 4 Italgas’ program launched by the Company in 2020 and addresses the best Startups and Scaleups from around the world with the aim of enhancing research activities and strengthening the contribution of innovation to the improvement of the Group’s performance.

There are two main features of the project: the Co-Innovation Hub and the SkipsoLabs ecosystem platform. The Co-Innovation Hub (an international network of incubators, accelerators, start-ups and scale-ups) will allow Italgas to monitor the innovation ecosystem and activate an Outpost in Tel Aviv, a hybrid presence within the Innovation Hubs in Israel. This strategic approach will enable the company to validate evolutionary scenarios through the innovation and agility of start-ups, fostering and strengthening their growth in the market. The technology platform, on the other hand, will enable the creation and management of Italgas’ innovation ecosystem by bringing together internal and external innovation in a single digital space capable of fostering the involvement of start-ups, employees and suppliers in innovation and digital transformation programs.

Compared to previous editions, the new research will be an ever-active ‘radar’ on technological and business innovations in the following areas: digitalization (cloud, edge computing and IoT devices), analytics and data management, operation & maintenance, network monitoring, metering, sustainability and circular economy, biomethane, hydrogen and synthetic gases.

In the digital transformation process, open innovation has been one of the main drivers of strategic development since the beginning. An approach focused on identifying solutions that can foster growth and sustainable development in daily operations, for the partners involved and the entire gas distribution sector. In many cases, collaboration with start-ups and SMEs has created the conditions for introducing innovation in other areas as well.

This is what is happening with Composite Research (CoRe), the young Italian start-up active in the sector of innovative materials, which presented ‘MadFlex’ at the 2020 call, a technology to create an ultra-light multilayer material capable of repairing gas grids quickly, durably and resiliently. After passing many stress tests at the Italgas laboratory in Asti, “MadFlex” is now being examined by the CIG (Italian Gas Committee) in order to obtain the necessary certifications for large-scale use by all companies in the sector and in the water distribution sector.

This is not the only case. With I-Tes, the large-scale application of special batteries capable of storing heat produced by other sources and reusing it in processes for feeding gas into the network is underway; software from the American company Satelytics will enable the monitoring of networks to be enhanced through the use of satellite images as well; With the Swiss company Amex Sanivar, a study is underway into the possible application of a special film inside gas grids that can make them immediately hydrogen ready; finally, the application of the Norwegian company Tunable will improve the analysis of the composition of distributed gas blends.

Pier Lorenzo Dell’Orco, CEO of Italgas Reti, commented: “Open innovation is a strategic approach that allows companies to grow faster, increase efficiency and, above all, think differently. In the journey of digital transformation that Italgas Group has undertaken in recent years, we have made extensive use of it. It is thanks to continuous scouting activities that we met companies such as Picarro, of which we also became shareholders, and its CRDS technology, the most advanced in the field of gas network monitoring. And this is how we have progressively created an open ecosystem capable of supporting the implementation of the Group’s Strategic Plan and the growth of our partners, as well as the evolution of the entire gas distribution sector.”  

Carlo Soresina, co-founder and CEO of SkipsoLabs, added: “We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Italgas through this innovation program dedicated to a key sector such as gas distribution. Today the ecosystem concept plays a central role in the innovation landscape. Our approach, which includes the involvement of the international network of the Co-Innovation Hub, the activation of a specific outpost in Tel Aviv and the technology platform, will facilitate the meeting of innovative start-ups from all over the world, connecting Italgas to a global innovation ecosystem. This is the right way to experience new evolutionary scenarios and to meet new market challenges”.

The project addresses international Startups and Scaleups (with focus on Europe and Israel) that develop products and services based on sustainable and original business models in line with Italgas’ strategy, and that will be able to offer solutions capable to meet the challenges posed by energy sustainability targets.

Interested startups will be able to register within the Italgas innovation ecosystem through the link https://ideas4italgas.italgas.it/en. The start-ups will be assessed by a committee of experts and, following a further selection process, will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with the company to start the Co-design phase and define an experiment applicable to the sector.

Italgas

Italgas is the leading operator in Italy in gas distribution sector and the third in Europe. It manages a distribution network that extends a total of around 75,000 kilometers through which, during the last year, it distributed approximately 9 billion cubic meters of gas to 7.8 million users. The Group holds 1,899 concessions, with a historical presence in the country’s major cities including Turin, Venice, Florence, and Rome.

SkipsoLabs

Founded in 2008, SkipsoLabs is a company that provides software solutions and advisory services for innovation. Starting with the ambitious goal of creating a platform to support and accelerate sustainable innovation worldwide, over the years SkipsoLabs has become one of the leading international players in innovation management, offering cutting-edge programs to companies, universities, government agencies, accelerators and non-profit organizations worldwide. SkipsoLabs’ advisory services help clients identify the best innovation sourcing channels globally, define the right approach to validate and scale products and solutions both within their organization and in the marketplace. SkipsoLabs has an established framework to help identify strategic acquisition or partnership opportunities, to rank innovation and to engage internal management.

Italgas improves the rating assigned by Moody’s ESG Solution

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Milan, 4 July 2022 – Italgas informs that the annual revision of the ESG rating Moody’s ESG Solutions (formerly known as Vigeo Eris rating), recognized the commitment of the Company with an “Advanced” rating, resulting from an overall improvement of 10 points compared to the result assigned last September. Progress mainly determined by the actions carried out and the further commitments undertaken by the Group in the environmental, social and governance fields.

The rating improvement is a further recognition of the Company’s strong focus on sustainability targets that the 2022-2028 Strategic Plan, recently presented to the market, has revised upwards (-34% in Scope 1 and 2 gas emissions, -30% in Scope 3 emissions, -27% in energy consumption by 2028, baseline 2020).

This recognition follows the confirmation of Italgas as a “constituent” of the MIB ESG Index, the blue-chip index for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) best practices of Borsa Italiana, part of the Euronext group.

Atem area “Naples 1”: Council of State rejects the appeal by Italgas Reti

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Milan, 11 April 2022 – Italgas informs that the Council of State has rejected the appeal filed by its subsidiary Italgas Reti against the award to another operator of the concession for the natural gas distribution service in the Atem area “Naples 1”. This Atem area counts around 375,000 redelivery points.

The Company is waiting to know the reasons that led the Council of State to adopt this ruling.

Edison signs an agreement with Italgas and Marguerite to acquire the majority of Gaxa and contribute to the development of retail market in Sardinia

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Edison, with this transaction, enters directly into the retail market in Sardinia, increases its customer base becoming the first operator on the island in the sale of gas, with the aim of contributing to the development of the retail market, alongside the methanisation process of the Region promoted by Italgas with the support of Marguerite.

Milan, 1 April 2022 – Edison, Italgas and Marguerite signed a binding agreement under which Edison will acquire a majority stake in Gaxa, a company 51.85% owned by Italgas and 48.15% by Marguerite, active in the Sardinian retail gas market, through the supply of natural gas, LPG and propane-air for civil uses. The new shareholding structure of Gaxa will thus be composed of Edison for 70%, Italgas for 15.56% and Marguerite for 14.44%. The transaction is aimed at strengthening Gaxa’s commercial presence and development opportunities in consideration of the important investment plan for Sardinia promoted by Italgas with the construction of new “digital native” distribution networks after having completed the conversion of those fuelled by LPG and propane air to methane.

“Edison, through this transaction, in line with its strategy of presence in the territory, expands its position in the retail market in Sardinia – says Massimo Quaglini CEO of Edison Energia – Our goal is to bring our experience on the retail market gained after years of “free market commercialization regime” by applying a business model focused on centrality and proximity to the customer and the quality of service. – continues Quaglini – And I am sure that we will succeed, through the enhancement of Gaxa’s skills, to bring our reliability to customers in Sardinia by offering them, in addition to the supply of gas and electricity, also a series of other innovative solutions and additional services”.<

“The presence of Edison within the shareholders’ structure of Gaxa and in the Sardinian energy market – commented Lorenzo Romeo, Chief Strategy Officer of Italgas – is recognition of the value and strategic nature of our ‘Sardinia project’. Edison’s undisputed expertise in the retail markets will further boost Gaxa’s growth and provide a strong incentive to the development of the island’s important methanisation plan, in which Italgas continues to invest significant resources to ensure that Sardinian citizens have access to a sustainable energy source“.

“The investment in Gaxa by a market leader such as Edison – says Fabio Siragusa, Managing Director of Marguerite – confirms the value of the ‘Sardinia project’ and the partnership with Italgas to promote the ecological transition of the island. We are enthusiastic about supporting strategic partners such as Edison and Italgas to foster the growth of Gaxa as the main retail energy operator in Sardinia”.

Gaxa, a company active in the Sardinian retail gas market, holds a portfolio of more than 41,000 retail customers. It was the first sales company in Sardinia’s history to supply natural gas to the citizens. The majority of customers are located in the main Sardinian provinces and, thanks to the ongoing methanisation process, a commercial development plan is expected that will cover customers located in over 100 municipalities. Today Gaxa, with its 18 employees at the offices in Cagliari and Sassari, carries out its activity in the region through 24 partner stores. The presence of Edison, within the structure of Gaxa as controlling shareholder, will allow to further develop its customer portfolio by being able to count, in terms of products, services and know-how, on the skills of a market player able to ensure a greater quality of service to its consumers.

The completion of the transaction is expected by June 2022, once the only condition precedent  of the contract will be satisfied.

Edison in Sardinia

Sardinia is a key territory for Edison, which operates in the Sardinian territory supporting the Public Administration with energy services for hospitals and public lighting and through the management of 2 wind farms for a total installed capacity of almost 96 MW and 8 photovoltaic plants for a total capacity of over 17 MW. Edison has a growth plan that attributes key importance to Sardinia, where it will implement a plan for the development of energy from renewable sources. Edison is also studying a project for the construction of a coastal small LNG deposit in Oristano.

 The Italgas Group in Sardinia

Italgas operates in Sardinia through its subsidiary Medea. Its assets consist of around 1,500 km of “native digital” natural gas networks, of which more than 1,300 km are already in operation; a cutting-edge infrastructure that will also receive and distribute renewable gases such as biomethane, synthetic methane and green hydrogen. In addition, there are approximately 9 km of LPG-fuelled networks that will soon be converted, and approximately 600 km of propane-fuelled networks in the municipalities of Cagliari, Sassari, Nuoro and Oristano that will be converted to natural gas in the coming years.

Marguerite in Sardinia

On 18 December 2019, Marguerite acquired a 48.15% stake in Medea and Gaxa and established a partnership with Italgas for the methanisation of Sardinia, through the construction of new digital gas distribution networks and the conversion of existing networks to natural gas.

Italgas signed the agreement for the new Smart Working model

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Milan, 16 March 2022 – Italgas has signed an agreement with all the Trade Unions for the introduction of the new Smart Working model, which will be effective after the period of health emergency experienced over the last two years.

From next April, all Group employees will be able to take part in agile working on a voluntary basis, with the sole exception of those who carry out operational activities.

Italgas adopted two organisational models, which take into account the different types of activities carried out and their suitability for remote working:

  • Weekly, for technicians working on networks and plants throughout the country who may opt for remote work up to one day per week.
  • Monthly, for all other employees, allowing smart working for up to ten days a month.

A series of practical measures have been identified as part of the agreement, with the aim of concretely improving work-life balance. Each employee will be able to agree with his or her supervisor on the time slot between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. within which he or she can work and will also receive a “Smart Ticket” for the days when he or she chooses to work remotely.

The company has also introduced the possibility of benefiting from an additional 40 days of smart working per year to support parenting, protect the vulnerable and assist relatives.

Peter Durante, HR Director of Italgas, commented: “One of the lessons we learned from the health emergency is that we need to contribute to the well-being of our people, and this agreement will certainly improve their work-life balance. We strongly believe in goal-oriented work and in empowering each employee, and we are convinced that reconciling life and work generates a virtuous mechanism with a positive impact also on results. I am particularly proud of the potential 40 extra days of smart working per year available to our colleagues: an opportunity that allows them to better manage challenging moments in life“.

GD4S presents its first Sustainability Charter. Defines the Association’s commitment across the three pillars of sustainability

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Brussels, 15 March 2022 – GD4S, the association that brings together the main gas distribution operators in seven European countries, today presented its Sustainability Charter entitled “Decarbonising the gas grid as a key enabler for a climate neutral society”, which defines the collective approach and commitments of the association’s members across the three sustainability pillars of Environmental, Social, and Governance, contributing to the European objective of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Drafted jointly by all GD4S members over the last 18 months, the Sustainability Charter represents the key initial step on a collective journey aimed at positioning gas DSOs among the promoters of a cross-cutting commitment to sustainability and among the key players on the EU energy transition path.

The Association’s members presented 9 long-term commitments:

  • Reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions in their operations and improve energy efficiency
  • Contribute to the development and distribution of renewable energy sources in their grids
  • Preserve resources and protect biodiversity
  • Promote a corporate culture that fosters equal and fair treatment of their workers, and their continuous development in a safe workplace
  • Provide quality service and a safe supply of gas that meets the needs of their customers
  • Strive to positively impact society in the territories where they operate
  • Practise fair and transparent advocacy and prevent corruption
  • Disclose performance transparently
  • Enhance dialogue with stakeholders

“Presenting the Association’s first Sustainability Charter – commented Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas and former President of GD4S – we formalise our commitment to building a better future for the environment, for our people and for all our stakeholders. A carbon-neutral future that is also characterised by transparency, loyalty and fairness in our relations with the world around us. The definition of specific shared commitments is the first step for further increasing our sustainability performance and effectively supporting the achievement of the net zero target.  We hope that our commitment will foster positive change and inspire other players in the energy sector” 

Building on that, Narcís De Carreras current President of GD4S declared “We are convinced about the fundamental role gas distributors have in achieving the EU’s climate objectives. Enhanced underground distribution networks coupled with renewable gas (biomethane and green hydrogen), represent a key asset for today’s European energy system and a secure and fair migration towards energy decarbonisation. We also want to strengthen collaboration with other associations in the hope that all European stakeholders can take advantage of the full potential of gas networks for the energy transition”.

Italgas becomes a shareholder of the Californian company Picarro Inc.

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Milano (Italia), Santa Clara (California-USA), 2 March 2022 – Italgas strengthened its partnership with Picarro Inc. through the acquisition of a minority share of the US company, a leading technology start-up in the field of sensors applied to the monitoring of gas distribution networks, as well as in technologies designed for those sectors requiring extremely sensitive measurements, such as environmental measurements of the concentration of Hazardous Air Pollutants and the electronics industry for the detection of impurities in semiconductor foundries.

The equity investment was acquired for a cash payment of 15 million dollars.

Its shareholding in Picarro as the sole industrial partner (the other shareholders are founders and venture capital funds), will allow Italgas – through Mr. Paolo Gallo joining the Picarro’s Board of Directors – to contribute to the further development of the technology for the fugitive methane emissions abatement, now at the heart of European decarbonisation objectives.

Italgas, indeed, expects to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2027, also thanks to the increasingly widespread use of Picarro technology, which has already shown significant advantages in terms of speed of execution of monitoring activities, accuracy of measurements and size of the areas monitored. By strengthening this partnership, Italgas confirms its commitment to reducing fugitive methane emissions, also by promoting the diffusion of CRDS (Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy) technology developed by Picarro to other gas distribution operators, that look to Italgas as a global benchmark for technological and digital innovation.

“Technological innovation and digital transformation – said Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas – are the main levers of our path to growth and decarbonisation of the economy. With this transaction, we are strengthening a strategic partnership that in recent years has enabled us to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the monitoring of our 74,000 kilometres of networks in Italy. With Picarro, we will support the decarbonisation of our sector even more significantly, by measuring and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the targets set by the EU”.

“As the natural gas industry faces the imperative of a decarbonised future, Picarro is becoming the de-facto partner to the world’s leading gas distribution companies” – commented Alex Balkanski, CEO of Picarro.

Handover between Paolo Gallo (Italgas) and Narcis de Carreras (Nedgia) who takes over the Presidency of the Association

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Brussels, 2 February 2022 – Today, Gas Distributors for Sustainability (GD4S) held its Annual General Assembly in line with the association’s Statute and By-Laws’. During the meeting, outgoing President, Mr. Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas (Italy), oversaw the handover of his responsibilities to his successor, Mr. Narcis De Carreras, CEO of Naturgy’s Gas Distribution operator NEDGIA (Spain).

The Assembly was also attended by Leonidas Bakouras, General Manager of Edathess (Greece), Denis O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Gas Networks Ireland (Ireland), Dan Pantilie, CEO of Distrigaz Sud Retele (Romania), Laurence Poirer-Dietz, CEO of GRDF (France), and Gabriel Sousa, CEO of Galp Gás Natural Distribuição (Portugal).

In his closing remarks, following a two-year term, Mr. Gallo recalled the main achievements of the association, including the reinforcement of its membership, with the addition of the main Greek distribution system operator EdaThess, and the effectiveness of its advocacy activity in Brussels. He also reflected on the increased scope of activity undertaken by the association and its focus on remaining at the forefront of EU energy policy debate on the energy transition, on methane emissions’ reduction, and on sector coupling.

GD4S further developed its strategic vision for the decarbonisation and future role of gas grids, through the adoption of its White Paper released in June 2021. In addition. its members collaborated to definea shared sustainability vision, with the development of a new Sustainability Charter, due to be released in the coming months. Part of the strong commitment to Sustainability is also the Joint Declaration on Methane Emissions reduction, published by GD4S in the first quarter of 2021, aimed at paving the way for other gas DSOs to follow a similar approach.

Under Mr. Gallo’s supervision, GD4S strengthened its ties and cooperation with other gas DSO associations (Eurogas, GEODE, CEDEC), collaborating to call on the European institutions to take the most appropriate policy measures to allow for the full potential of the gas DSO system in enabling the energy transition to be utilised. The cooperation was extended to also cover more specific issues related to the development of the hydrogen market, with the four associations, together with ENTSOG, part, of the Prime Movers Group on Gas Quality. Last but not least, GD4S is really proud to have joined, in the last quarter of 2021, the Ready4H2 project. gathering 92 European operators and aiming at at defining the role of gas DSOs in the development of the hydrogen market.

Narcis De Carreras begins his term in a very challenging period for the European gas sector, which will see the definition of the EU Gas Package, the Methane Emissions’ Regulation the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and the finalising of the Fit for 55 package.

During his Presidency, Narcis de Carreras will continue to promote the role of gas DSOs in helping reach EU climate objectives effectively, strengthening the association with the appointment of a Senior Policy Officer, increasing its ability to influence by fostering collaboration between members and with other associations, and enlarging the number of associates.

GD4S remains committed to further strengthening its role as a key player, representing the voice of gas DSOs in the EU energy policy debate and providing a positive contribution for Europe’s energy transition.

Italgas confirmed in the Sustainability Yearbook and FTSE4Good Index Series

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Milan, 1 February 2022 – Italgas has been included for the third consecutive year in the Sustainability Yearbook, the S&P Global annual publication that collects experiences, case histories and best practices from world’s top sustainability leaders.

Italgas was included following the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) conducted in 2021. The Company was also awarded a “Gold Class Distinction” for its excellent sustainability performance.

A total of 716 companies, out of the 7,554 assessed, have been selected and included in the Sustainability Yearbook 2022 based on their ESG scores.

The result achieved is a further recognition of Italgas’ commitment to all aspects of sustainability, a pillar of its growth strategy and on which its daily activity is based. The 2022 Sustainability Yearbook is only the latest of the awards received by the Company on ESG topics. Italgas was recently confirmed in the FTSE4Good Index Series, which includes the companies that excel in sustainable economic development.

Italgas and Buzzi Unicem sign an agreement to study the feasibility of Power to Gas plants to decarbonize cement production processes

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Milan, 18 January 2022 – Italgas and Buzzi Unicem have signed an agreement for the development of a feasibility study on the implementation of Power to Gas plants in combination with Carbon Capture Systems at Buzzi Unicem’s production plants.

The implementation of these technologies is aimed at promoting the decarbonization of cement and concrete production processes in order to increase environmental sustainability and facilitate the energy transition. In particular, the study will assess the possibility of producing and using, in the most suitable Buzzi Unicem plants, synthetic methane obtained from the combination of green hydrogen produced by the Power to Gas plants with part of the CO2 released in the production processes.

The agreement leverages on the solid experience gained by Italgas with the development of a Power to Gas project in Sardinia to produce green hydrogen with the aim of testing its uses also in urban contexts, in public transport and in supplying local energy-intensive industries.

“We strongly believe in Power to Gas technology – Paolo Gallo, CEO of Italgas affirmed – and in its strategic contribution to the energy transition in terms of sector coupling. The production of hydrogen from renewable sources enables the use of gas networks in the dual function of carrier and energy storage asset, ensuring greater flexibility to the system. The agreement represents a great opportunity for us to take a further step forward in the study of innovative solutions and technological best practices. Therefore, we are pleased to share with Buzzi Unicem the know-how we have developed in the design of the Italgas P2G plant that will be built in Sardinia, creating the first technological showcase of the green hydrogen production chain in Italy”.

Luigi Buzzi, Group Technical Director at Buzzi Unicem, confirms that “we are very interested in the opportunity to collaborate with Italgas as an experienced partner to develop a project that is fully integrated into our industrial investment plan aimed at identifying technologies for capturing and reusing the CO2 released by our plants, in line with the roadmaps defined by industry associations. Our aim is to responsibly contribute to containing climate change by developing CO2 capture technologies and identifying the best solutions for its reuse. We are currently experimenting with Calcium Looping technology for
capturing the carbon dioxide released by the production process at our plant in Vernasca (PC). Thanks to the EU Horizon 2020 project “CLEANKER” (CLEAN- clinKER), it will be possible to assess the technical and economic sustainability of this technology and estimate the changes to the plant and the investments required to adopt this process in existing cement plants. We are ready to face the ecological transition with great determination and motivated to start the Power to Gas project with Italgas soon, hoping that this new technology can be adopted on a large scale in the future”.

 

Italgas

Italgas is the leading gas distributor in Italy and the third largest in Europe: it manages a distribution network that extends over 73,500 kilometers through which it distributes around 9 billion cubic meters of gas to 7.7 million customers. The Group, including its subsidiaries, holds 1,888 gas concessions, with a historic presence in the country’s main cities including Turin, Venice, Florence and Rome.

www.italgas.it.

Buzzi Unicem

Buzzi Unicem SPA is an international multi-regional group based in Casale Monferrato, Piedmont, focused on the production of cement, concrete and natural aggregates.

The Group operates in 14 countries and employs around 10,000 people. There are 13 plants in Italy and more than 1,500 direct employees. The group has a long-term strategic vision and a dedicated management that operates with a view to sustainable development and quality production facilities. Buzzi pursues value creation through deep and proven know-how and the production efficiency of its plants.

The Buzzi Unicem website is: http://www.buzziunicem.it; www.buzziunicem.com

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