(May 2025) | Italian ceramic manufacturers are taking a proactive approach to energy efficiency, adopting technologies and systems that reduce consumption, recover heat and generate power from renewable sources. For more than 60 years, the industry has consistently reinvested between 5% and 10% of its turnover into environmental improvements, going beyond minimum compliance to set new benchmarks in the application of Best Available Techniques.

 

A systemic approach to sustainability

Energy efficiency measures are part of a broader sustainability strategy that includes process innovation, material recovery, logistics optimisation and digitalisation. The Italian ceramic industry has long embraced a process of continuous improvement in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

This commitment is demonstrated by the fact that companies – especially in the ceramic tile and sanitaryware sectors – have introduced heat recovery systems that reuse residual heat in other stages of the production process. For example, a typical ceramic sanitaryware company can save an average of around 10,000 kg of CO2 per year and reduce its primary energy consumption. These efforts are supported by process digitalisation strategies, which allow for precise monitoring of energy performance, and by the use of construction materials and techniques that improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

 

Cogeneration: efficiency squared

A key pillar of sustainable manufacturing is cogeneration, the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy for use in industrial processes. By optimising fuel efficiency, cogeneration reduces waste, improves overall plant efficiency and significantly lowers total carbon emissions.

Cogeneration systems have been successfully adopted to power spray dryers, capturing and repurposing heat that would otherwise be wasted. The Emilia-Romagna region currently has more than 30 cogeneration plants that together generate more than 800 GWh per year, meeting 47% of the ceramic industry’s electricity needs. This is a perfect example of how energy efficiency can be improved in the ceramic industry by transforming waste into a valuable resource.

 

Harnessing solar power: the photovoltaic boom

One of the most practical – and visible – ways in which energy efficiency is being improved is by installing photovoltaic systems on factory roofs, which are increasingly being transformed into solar farms capable of powering a portion of the production process. In many cases, photovoltaic systems provide a significant percentage of a factory’s electricity needs, helping to lower environmental impact.

Photovoltaic systems are now widely adopted not only in the Sassuolo ceramic tile cluster but also in Civita Castellana, the historic hub of Italian ceramic sanitaryware production. In 2023 alone, installations of photovoltaic systems increased by over 75% compared to the previous year, a clear sign of the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility. These systems help reduce emissions while boosting energy independence and resilience throughout the sector. A typical photovoltaic system can generate between 1 and 2.5 million kWh of electricity annually, meeting an average of 40% of a factory’s energy requirements.

 

The video: a window onto change

The third episode of the campaign I choose responsibility. You should too! takes us to the heart of innovation, where technology meets sustainability. Through clear, engaging storytelling, the video shows how energy efficiency is not just a technical goal but an ethical and strategic commitment shaping the industry’s future.

It offers a behind-the-scenes look at Italian ceramics, a hi-tech industry that not only creates beautiful, high-quality products but also strives to operate in the most sustainable way possible.

 

An invitation to learn more

This video, along with the others in the campaign, provides an opportunity to find out more about the results achieved and to reflect on the role that each of us – whether businesses, professionals or members of the public – can play in building a more responsible future.

Visit the Responsibility section at Ceramica.info to find out more about these topics, discover other examples of best practices and see how the Italian ceramic industry is helping to drive the ecological transition.

Because choosing responsibility today means ensuring beauty, quality and wellbeing for tomorrow.