2024

Robilante, a virtuous model of circular economy and waste management
18 March 2025

Robilante, a virtuous model of circular economy and waste management

Buzzi Unicem and ACSR presented their virtuous example of public-private collaboration for environmental and community sustainability in Robilante on Friday, March 14. The meeting highlighted the benefits of using Secondary Solid Fuel (CSS), produced from the dry fraction of municipal waste collected at local plants and used in co-firing at the local cement plant from 2023.

The event was attended by important institutional figures such as Luca Robaldo, president of the Province of Cuneo, and local mayors, along with experts such as Enrico Brizio, director of Arpa Cuneo, and representatives of Legambiente and the Piedmont Waste Authority. The project has had a positive impact on sustainability, reducing CO₂, NOx and SOx emissions through the use of CSS, which has partially replaced traditional fossil fuels. “This innovative model of valorizing a waste has allowed all these years to recover the dry fraction of municipal waste, transforming it into an alternative fuel that can partially replace traditional fossil fuels used to produce cement. Even today, our province has the only integrated system with production of CSS from municipal waste nationwide,” said Giancarlo Isaia, president of ACSR.

“The integration of CSS in the cement production process has represented a significant step forward in environmental sustainability for our company, allowing us to reduce CO₂, NOx and SOx and heavy metal emissions thanks to the reduced combustion of fossil coal,” adds Marco Duranda, director of the Buzzi Unicem plant in Robilante. In 2024, we also completed a new CSS plant equipped with a Vecobelt® transport system to improve efficiency and increase the consumption of Secondary Solid Fuel, and for the next few years we plan further investments aimed at optimizing the production process even more and reducing direct and indirect CO₂ emissions.”

The project is the result of a synergy between public and private entities, with scientific support from Milan-Bicocca University for life cycle assessment (LCA). CSS is produced from the dry fraction of municipal solid waste and, through a refining process, optimizes its calorific value, becoming an energy alternative for cement production. This approach contributes to the circular economy by avoiding landfill occupancy and reducing emissions from other forms of waste disposal.

Buzzi Unicem completes the sale of the Fanna plant to Alpacem Italia
05 February 2025

Buzzi Unicem completes the sale of the Fanna plant to Alpacem Italia

The sale of the Buzzi Unicem plant in Fanna (PN) to Alpacem Cementi Italia, an Italian company part of the Austrian group Wietersdorfer Alpacem, has been completed. The agreement, signed on January 31, 2025, marks a strategic step in redefining Buzzi Unicem’s production structure in Italy.

The transaction, initiated in August 2023, officially had effect on February 1 and includes, in addition to the transfer of the Fanna cement plant, Buzzi SpA’s subscription to a capital increase to acquire a 25% stake in the Austrian company Alpacem Zement Austria GmbH.

With an annual clinker production capacity of 660,000 tons and raw materials sourced from the three company-owned quarries, the Fanna cement plant will continue its operations, ensuring full production and employment continuity, since all 80 employees will be hired by Alpacem Italia.

This sale opens new opportunities for our company, which will continue to invest in increasingly sustainable and competitive production solutions.

New breakwater in Vado Ligure: Buzzi Unicem cement for a strategic project
20 January 2025

New breakwater in Vado Ligure: Buzzi Unicem cement for a strategic project

The construction of the new breakwater in Vado Ligure, in the province of Savona, represents a strategic project for the protection of the port basin and the improvement of maritime accessibility in a crucial area for freight transport in northern Italy.

Impresa Cerruti SpA of Varazze (SV) is responsible for supplying the concrete, for which it has chosen 42.5 N III/A cement provided by Buzzi Unicem’s Trino plant. The structure of the new breakwater follows the existing construction type, with cellular reinforced concrete caissons placed on a rock foundation at varying depths between 35 and 49 meters. The expansion of the port entrance width by approximately 150 meters will allow for greater safety and ease in docking maneuvers.

The project involves the installation of 16 caissons, 12 of which are repurposed from existing structures, while four are newly prefabricated, filled with granular material, and positioned at a depth of -25.50 meters. The construction will require approximately 90,000 cubic meters of concrete, with a daily production requirement of 500 cubic meters of R45 concrete in exposure class XS3.

The innovative production plant, installed on a floating pontoon provided by the ‘2F per Vado’ Consortium, ensures supply efficiency. The cement is transferred pneumatically on board, while the aggregate is moved using a conveyor belt system. Another part of the plant is positioned on the Giuliana pontoon, which houses the storage and production structures necessary to ensure continuous site operations. The plant and the entire production process are fully automated and remotely managed, guaranteeing precision and operational continuity.

Buzzi Unicem remains a key reference for the development of strategic infrastructure projects, providing high-quality materials and advanced technological solutions for the construction of essential infrastructures that support regional growth.

Our values: the foundation of our commitment
11 December 2024

Our values: the foundation of our commitment

At Buzzi, the values Respect and Openness, Reliability and Soundness, Continuous Evolution, Safety, and Caring for our People are the roots of our success. They are not merely words, but principles that inspire and guide us in our daily work.

To emphasize their importance, we have created a video that not only describes these values but brings them to life: colleagues from around the world share personal experiences, illustrating how these values guide their actions and help them overcome challenges in their roles. It serves as a powerful reminder of the tangible impact these principles have on our shared success.

To learn more about our values and understand their meaning, visit the dedicated section on our website: https://www.buzzi.com/i-nostri-valori

 

Buzzi Unicem participates to the third edition of 'Fai la Mossa Giusta'
22 November 2024

Buzzi Unicem participates to the third edition of 'Fai la Mossa Giusta'

On Saturday, November 16th, 2024, Buzzi Unicem enthusiastically participated in the third edition of "Fai la Mossa Giusta", an event dedicated to educational, training, and career orientation, held at the Riccardo Coppo Exhibition Center in Casale Monferrato.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with students, families, workers, and adults seeking new professional opportunities, fostering direct dialogue between companies, institutions, and the public. Throughout the day, visitors had the chance to meet representatives from major local and national organizations, gaining practical advice for building strategic educational and career paths.

As a company, we were pleased to share our commitment to nurturing talent and supporting the growth of the local community. At our stand, participants could submit their resumes, apply for open positions, and receive guidance on identifying the most suitable educational or career path for their aspirations.

Notable highlights of the day included the debate “A Job for Everyone, the Right Job for Each Person” and entrepreneur Umberto Signorini’s talk on the relationship between innovation and tradition. Experts like Gabriele Corazza (Illumia) and Simone Marcovecchio (Bulgari) enriched the event with insights on how to harness talent in the professional world.

Our participation in "Fai la Mossa Giusta" reaffirms our commitment to building bridges between schools, businesses, and the community, contributing to a more informed and sustainable future for young people and local areas.

Buzzi presented the CO2 capture plant built by Nuada in Monselice
14 October 2024

Buzzi presented the CO2 capture plant built by Nuada in Monselice

On Thursday, 10th October, the Monselice Plant hosted a meeting to present the Nuada project, launched last spring, to the local community. The project aims to capture CO2 emissions and accelerate the decarbonisation of the cement industry.

The event began with opening remarks from Paolo Zelano, CEO of Buzzi Unicem and Paolo Paoletti, Director of the Plant. Luigi Buzzi, Group Technical Director, illustrated the principles of the Roadmap ‘Our Journey to Net Zero’, a long-term plan for decarbonization, in line with the objectives set by the European Green Deal.

Next, Francesco Magli, a specialist in Research and Development projects, shared the reasons for the collaboration with Nuada, a UK-based supplier of CO2 capture technologies. The proceedings were closed by Conor Hamill, CEO of Nuada, who emphasized that this pilot project represents a significant innovation milestone in carbon capture and highlights the technology's potential for cement production.

Nuada’s highly energy-efficient carbon capture solution combines new solid sorbents called Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF) with an advanced vacuum oscillating pressure adsorption (VPSA) process. This is an electrically powered system that separates CO2 from industrial flue gases using pressure rather than heat. It offers a promising approach to overcome the challenges of energy consumption, costs and integration compared to the use of traditional carbon capture solutions in industry.

The Monselice experimental activity is aimed at acquiring useful information for the industrial-scale construction of a plant of this specific technology, potentially capable of capturing the majority of the CO2 emitted by the Group’s cement plants. Buzzi’s choice to make the Monselice plant available to Nuada is dictated by logistical and plant engineering reasons and does not preclude future experiments in other plants. The first data emerging during the tests are being processed and Nuada engineers believe they are in line with the simulations carried out on a theoretical basis.

At the end of the presentations, the guest participants had the opportunity to visit the capture facility.

Family & Friends at Trino plant: over 850 Attendees
11 October 2024

Family & Friends at Trino plant: over 850 Attendees

Sunday, September 22nd was dedicated to Family & Friends, a special day in which the plant opened its doors to employees from Casale, Trino, and Vercelli, along with their families and friends. The event saw a great attendance, with over 850 people participating in the many activities.

In addition to the Area907 tour, the company provided several themed stands: safety, overseen by the EAS (Ecology, Environment, and Safety) Department; the Sales Department stand focusing on sales strategies; and the Human Resources Department stand, highlighting Stakeholder Engagement policies. The cement production process was explained in detail, with insights into the specific phases at the Trino grinding center, from the arrival of clinker from Robilante to shipments. Guests also had the opportunity to visit the laboratory and closely observe the various stages of material testing. To make the day even more memorable, there were educational environmental games, concrete workshops, and entertainment areas that engaged and delighted both adults and children.

The event was part of Federbeton's "Open Doors" program, a series of days organized by the cement industry to allow local communities to visit plants and get closer to a state of the heart sector of reliability, innovation, and sustainability of its materials.

Area907, Buzzi project inaugurated inside the Trino plant
30 September 2024

Area907, Buzzi project inaugurated inside the Trino plant

On Saturday, September 21st, the inauguration of Area907 took place, an immersive journey within the Trino plant, which holds a significant place in Buzzi's history, as the cement plant was founded in 1907, the same year as the company.  This project has focused on memory, technological innovation, and the industrial present and future, told through the stories of the people who contributed to the growth of the company. The inauguration was enhanced by the blessing of the Archbishop of Vercelli and the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by local authorities, highlighting the importance of the event for the community.

 

In addition to the exhibition route, two new adjacent spaces were opened: the first, enriched with images and objects from the Historical Archive, traces the history of the company and introduces visitors to the museum area; the second, a striking glass structure, hosts the alphabet by artist Giuseppe Stampone, a collaborator on the participatory art project that permeates the entire journey. The Area907 project is dedicated to the memory of Eng. Sandro Buzzi and has the ambitious goal of being fully integrated into Museimpresa, an association born to safeguard the memory of Italian industry as a driver of sustainable development and a cornerstone of widespread economic, social, and civil culture. The visit unfolds along the old plant, from the Pa.Vo. and Fo.Co. kilns (acronyms for "Patience and Will" and "Strength and Courage") to the control room, from the production of Ares to the pilot furnace, from the Pacific to the clinker mills, and finally to the world's first experimental Horomill.

The activities of the HERCCULES project for decarbonization continue
24 July 2024

The activities of the HERCCULES project for decarbonization continue

Buzzi Unicem continues to make progress in the European HERCCULES project, launched in January 2023 and lasting five years. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of the entire CCUS (carbon capture, utilization, and storage) chain in Southern Europe, essential for achieving the goal of complete decarbonization by 2050.

In the coming months, a CO2 capture pilot plant will become operational at the Buzzi Unicem plant in Vernasca, with experimentation set to begin by the end of the year and which will last for 12 months. Meanwhile, the design of the experimental mineralization plant will continue, enabling the reuse of CO2 produced in the cement production cycle, thus promoting resource circularity.

Buzzi's Built research and innovation laboratory, specialized in the field of materials characterization, will play a crucial role in HERCCULES project. It will be indeed responsible for collecting and characterizing materials to be employed in the mineralization tasks by exploiting the developed CO2 and will provide support in the development of the pilot mineralization plant.

These initiatives strengthen Buzzi Unicem's commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon future, significantly contributing to the achievement of European climate goals.

Click here to learn out more.

Social Tour at Buzzi Unicem Plant in Guidonia: art and social awareness as main topics
11 June 2024

Social Tour at Buzzi Unicem Plant in Guidonia: art and social awareness as main topics

From 13th to 16th June, Guidonia Montecelio will host the "Social Tour," a project dedicated to raising awareness about social issues through art.

The Social Tour represents an immersive experience that combines artistic expression with an understanding of social challenges. By promoting understanding and acceptance of diversity, this initiative aims to eliminate prejudices and build a more inclusive and informed community.

The program includes four days of free, intense events featuring artists, experts, and enthusiasts from various fields. There will be meetings, performances, concerts, street art, and exhibitions, all with the goal of raising awareness in the Guidonia Montecelio community about social issues through art, music, and sports.

The tour will conclude on Sunday, 16th June, at our Guidonia plant with exhibitions, information spaces, and an unmissable concert-performance.

 

For more details and to view the complete program, visit the event’s official website at this link.

Buzzi Unicem promotes sustainability in road transport with HVO fuel
27 May 2024

Buzzi Unicem promotes sustainability in road transport with HVO fuel

Il nostro partner SEA Srl ha recentemente iniziato a utilizzare il carburante alternativo HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), una soluzione innovativa ottenuta da materie prime rinnovabili. Questo passo rappresenta un importante avanzamento verso un trasporto su strada più sostenibile, riducendo le emissioni dei trasporti rispetto ai carburanti tradizionali fino al 90%.

L'HVO è un biocarburante avanzato che, grazie al processo di idrotrattamento, offre una significativa riduzione delle emissioni di CO2, senza compromettere le prestazioni dei veicoli. È compatibile con la maggior parte dei motori diesel attualmente in uso, rendendo possibile una transizione fluida verso una mobilità più verde.

Secondo le stime dei dati del 2023, ci aspettiamo che nel 2024 il 27% dei chilometri percorsi tra i nostri stabilimenti di Trino e Robilante sarà coperto dal Gruppo SEA utilizzando l'HVO come carburante. Questo risultato sarà un passo significativo nel nostro percorso verso la sostenibilità, contribuendo alla riduzione delle emissioni di gas serra.

La nostra partnership con SEA è un esempio di come la collaborazione possa portare a soluzioni concrete per un futuro più verde. Continueremo a lavorare insieme per esplorare nuove opportunità e implementare tecnologie sostenibili nei nostri processi di trasporto.

 

Per ulteriori informazioni sull'utilizzo dell'HVO da parte del Gruppo SEA, visitate il loro sito: https://www.seatrasporti.it/il-gruppo-sea-utilizza-hvo-su-tutti-i-suoi-automezzi/  

‘Porte Aperte’ events by Federbeton are back
28 April 2024

‘Porte Aperte’ events by Federbeton are back

In April, the third edition of ‘Porte Aperte’ promoted by Federbeton, the Federation representing the cement and concrete industry in Italy, restarted and will continue until the end of September.

Buzzi Unicem has once again joined this initiative by opening the doors of its Italian cement plants to local communities, sharing insights of its operations, technological innovations, and its attention to the environment. The company confirmed its commitment towards young generations by dedicating these days especially to schools, where interest in sustainability-related topics is increasingly widespread.

This valuable opportunity allows us to showcase the quality of the Italian industry through the voices and experiences of people, describing the development of our activities, technological advancements, and our commitment to the decarbonization challenge.

For those interested in visiting our cement plants: https://www.buzziunicem.it/dove-siamo

Stakeholder Engagement Report 2023 has been relesead
26 March 2024

Stakeholder Engagement Report 2023 has been relesead

The fourth edition of the Stakeholder Engagement Report presents the projects developed in Italy during 2023 for the benefit of our stakeholders, reaching over 9,000 direct beneficiaries.

Through this activity, we maintain an active dialogue with our stakeholders regarding the strategies and initiatives undertaken in the short and medium term.
Among the 2023 events that most strengthened the bond with the communities, the CGreen Days and the Federbeton Open Doors stand out: these occasions offered us the opportunity to illustrate the production processes and share the company's commitment to decarbonisation.

Read the complete report here.

Our support for parenting
02 February 2024

Our support for parenting

“A nation in which no children are born has no future and does not innovate”.

Starting from this assumption, the company has developed the Family Friendly Company project to support women and families who wish to give birth to children. This is a set of measures, with economic and non-economic effects, to support colleagues of Italian companies of the Group in their life and growth choices.

More generally, Buzzi aims to counter the birth rate in our country, which is experiencing serious demographic decline. In fact, Italy is at the bottom of the European ranking of children per woman (only 1.22); furthermore, 43% of women with one child have no intention of having more for economic, professional and social reasons (Sources: ISTAT, June 2023; Save the Children Report: “Le Equilibriste - La maternità in Italia 2023”).

The company says: “In line with sustainability policies and people valorization, we want 'our parents' to face motherhood and fatherhood with serenity and that 'our mothers' have equal development opportunities, knowing that they can choose to bring children into the world, without their career path being limited as a consequence."

The interventions involve accompanying new parents from the months preceding the birth until they return to work.

The figure of the 'Family Friend' is established, a person designated to maintain contact with the colleague on leave for information purposes and on a voluntary basis, to update her/him on what is happening at work, in order to facilitate her/his return; the 'Thank you bonus' and the 'Up to kindergarten' are economic additions to optional post-natal leave; the 'Happy kids' contribution is a financial support for each new born up to a maximum of 3,000 euros gross per year for 3 years (the beneficiaries of this measure also include parents with children who, as of 31 December 2023, have not yet 3 years of age); finally, the return accompaniment path called 'Back on track' facilitates and harmonizes the colleague’s return to work.

Family Friendly Company is part of a broader project that intends to strengthen the company's commitment to promote an increasingly inclusive culture, based on equity and equal development opportunities and aimed at maintaining a healthy balance between work activity and family size.

Our goal: zero injuries
12 January 2024

Our goal: zero injuries

In the plenary meeting held at the end of the year, the managers of Buzzi Unicem Ecologia, Ambiente e Sicurezza Function led an intense training session on the main regulatory innovations and sharing the main results and objectives for 2024.

It was an opportunity to talk about the issues introduced by the new group Health and Safety policy, first of all the goal of reducing accidents and occupational diseases to zero: an ambitious goal achievable thanks to twenty-year path undertaken and the new initiatives being introduced in the cement and concrete production units.

In November 2023, the injuries frequency rate was the best ever recorded by Buzzi Unicem in Italy: a result achieved thanks to the daily work carried out by the entire workforce. The involvement of all employees is in fact crucial in order to increase awareness and perception of risk.

Buzzi Unicem at 'Fai la mossa giusta' 2023
04 December 2023

Buzzi Unicem at 'Fai la mossa giusta' 2023

On Saturday 2 December Buzzi Unicem participated in the second edition of 'Fai la mossa giusta', a day of meeting with local production companies for orientation towards higher education organized by the Municipality of Casale Monferrato.

During the event, authoritative interventions on the topic of orientation took place: in the morning the session was opened by Eng. Giuseppe Ricci, General Director of ENI Energy Evolution, followed by the young musician Riccardo Marchese and the architect Paolo Scoglio; the highlight of the afternoon program was the speech by Luigi Ballerini, guidance counselor and writer, as well as promoter of the 'Festival Nazionale dell’Innovazione Scolastica'

The event continues online: on the website of the Municipality of Casale it is possible to access the presentations prepared by companies, including that of Buzzi Unicem.

Product and territory excellence: the CGreen days success
25 October 2023

Product and territory excellence: the CGreen days success

The CGreen Days tour of Italy concluded with the final event in Sardegna: from spring to autumn, a journey of seven stages across Italy to meet customers and present the technological evolution that has led to the creation of new generation cements, with low environmental impact.

Starting from Vernasca, the route touched the facilities of Barletta, Guidonia (Roma), Robilante (Cuneo), Monselice (Padova), Augusta (Siracusa) and finally ended in Siniscola (Nuoro).

The format has always had three main moments: a meeting with local customers, to underline the strategic choices undertaken with a view to decarbonisation and to present the new cements with reduced environmental impact; the guided tour of the plants, to learn about investments in optimizing the production process; a convivial moment to discover the territory and the communities in which Buzzi Unicem operates.

The CGreen days proved to be pleasant days of updating and sharing and touched on special places such as the Masone Labyrinth in Fontanellato, the historic center of Trani, the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor in Tivoli, the Sanctuary of Vicoforte, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova, Fort Vittoria in Augusta, the Source of Su Gologone.

A formula that has proven to be appreciated for its ability to combine work topics with entertainment and valorisation of the territory.

Sandro Buzzi has crossed his final finish line
05 September 2023

Sandro Buzzi has crossed his final finish line

Yesterday 4 September 2023, at the age of 90 years and two months, Sandro Buzzi concluded his earthly journey and reached the Father's house. We like to remember with affection and emotion his role as an enthusiastic, optimistic, passionate and empathetic leader.

Sandro Buzzi had a long, beautiful, challenging and successful life. His story has been inextricably linked to that of the company, since 1957, when as a young chemical engineer was called by his father Luigi to promptly take care of the transition from natural to artificial cement. Over time he has developed an almost unique knowledge and specialization of cement process and technology. The passion for the product led him to extend his scope of knowledge and work also to applications, especially the standards and the quality of the nascent ready-mix concrete industry. Starting in the 1980s, he has held various top positions within the group and, sided with the brothers Franco and Enrico, he has been the architect of the main phases of company development (acquisition of Unicem in 1997 and Dyckerhoff in 2001).

Sandro Buzzi also nurtured a great love for the sea, in particular offshore sailing. In many competitions he participated as skipper, at any level, both in the Mediterranean and across the Ocean. He instilled in this hobby the same passion for engineering that he had from his daily work, starting with the use of the sextant to the development of innovations such as twin foils coupled with canting keel.

We will continue to follow his example of dedication and love for work, family and business.

The future is now: ten new TagCem at work
24 July 2023

The future is now: ten new TagCem at work

At the end of May, the second edition of the TagCem Master in Advanced Techniques for the Management of Cement Production Plants began, linked to an advanced training and research apprenticeship contract.

The ten students began attending lessons in the offices of Casale, identified as the academic headquarters; in a second phase, they will move to the classrooms of the Polytechnic of Turin, partner of the project. This two-year course includes periods of stay in the group's various plants to acquire operational technical skills.

This edition also aims at transforming apprentices into expert professionals, preparing them for entry into industry and providing them with the know-how necessary to face the challenges of the future. The Quarries and Mines Management, the Ecology, Environment and Safety Management, the Operations Management, the Logistics and Purchasing Management, the Projects and New Plant Management and the Quality and Technical Assistance Management were involved in this important project.

Local schools at the plants for Federbeton 'Porte Aperte'
01 June 2023

Local schools at the plants for Federbeton 'Porte Aperte'

Three events in as many local communities, for a significant moment of sharing with the younger generations: Buzzi Unicem has decided to dedicate to schools the "Porte Aperte" event, promoted by Federbeton Confindustria - the Federation that represents the cement and concrete supply chain in Italy - to introduce communities behind the scenes of the Made in Italy effort in the construction sector.
The artistic and social sensitivity developed in recent years has led Buzzi Unicem to honor this commitment by organizing a relevant event in Monselice on May 6th: two hundred students from the JFK Institute and Jacopo da Montagnana high schools have been spectators of “La voce della Costituzione”, as part of the Este vicariate "Teatrando" project. A representation full of meaning and value, which has been staged by Alberto Riello and Stefano Corbo in the bagging area.

On May 20th it was the turn of the Barletta plant, which hosted 200 students of Cassandro Fermi Nervi and Ipsia Archimede; on May 27th in Siniscola, over 100 young people from ITCG Luigi and IIS Michelangelo Pira visited the local plant, learning more about the cement production cycle, the theme of quarries and environmental restoration, as well as safety in the workplace.

By reserving the "Porte Aperte" space for schools, Buzzi Unicem confirms its sensitivity for the young protagonists of the community: kids who live the sustainability issues and who will soon have to make important choices for their future.