Italy is the Land of Solar!

Operate sustainably is one of Ingersoll Rand’s strategic imperatives and we daily strive to bring it to life through our bold 2030 and 2050 Environmental Goals. In line with our commitments, the Italian Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) team developed a highly impactful plan to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by installing solar photovoltaic systems in three Industrial Technologies and Services (ITS), EMEIA, Italian operation sites: Vignate, Parma and Fogliano.

After a complex process of analysis to build the technical and economic business case, the team presented a robust plan outlining the opportunity for a massive energy impact reduction across the three sites – and it is now coming to life with estimated impact in 2022:

  • Approximately 30% of annual energy provided by solar panels
  • Solar energy not consumed in the plants (e.g. on Sundays or bank holidays) is feeding the electricity national grid so that communities can benefit from our energy source too.

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First Plant connected: Vignate

On October 25, 2021, Vignate team was proud to inaugurate the first European Ingersoll Rand factory solar panels. Welcomed by Davide Turba, Vignate plant leader, all local employees joined – either remotely or onsite – and hosted the ITS, EMEIA leadership team and Vignate major, Mr. Paolo Gobbi, for the occasion.

Andrea Gioffrè, project leader from the EHS Team, shared insights on the positive impact the solar panels will bring to the Vignate community and to the plant: providing 27% of its annual energy need.

“This project brings benefit to the environment, our community, and our organization,” said Enrique Minarro Viseras, senior vice president and general manager ITS EMEIA. “I’m really happy that there was the financial strength to implement the photovoltaic system in Vignate. I congratulate the team on the efficient execution of this project and for continuously showing deep commitment to our environmental targets.”

“We feel pride in supporting our communities by investing in renewable energy sources in Ingersoll Rand,” said Ulas Yolcu, vice president, operations ITS, EMEIA. “This journey will continue with other sites to leave a greener world to the next generations by prioritizing sustainability in our investment plans to reduce waste, GHG emissions and water consumption. I thank the Italian project team for making it happen, and the IR senior leadership team for providing great support to invest in sustainability projects.”

The team and leadership proudly agreed that this project is not only a strategic investment, but also a winning example of how we can work together to Make Life Better. And the Italian team is committed to continuing the journey with solar installation in Parma and Fogliano Redipuglia over the next six months – truly making Italy the first Ingersoll Rand European land of solar!

With close to 300 employees, the Ingersoll Rand Vignate plant produces the world-renowned Centac oil-free centrifugal compressors since 1968 and, more recently, MSG Turbo-Air from 150 kW up to 5 MW, delivering the lowest total cost of ownership available in the marketplace.