Five has installed a first e-Ductflame™ hybrid burner at Saint-Gobain's the h-old site in Biandrate, Italy. The expected results, consisting in a significant direct CO2 emissions reduction, will enable a progressive decarbonisation of the site’s industrial process. Within the global Saint-Gobain business unit, Saint-Gobain's h-old plant has started an electrification process which enhances a reduction of its impacts thanks to the solar energy produced on-site.

Fives implemented the e-Ductflame™, the group’s first patented hybrid e-burner which allows to replace gas with electricity. Using this solar energy, it will enable to reduce CO2 emissions, energy costs and thus to substantially lower Saint-Gobain h-old’s site environmental footprint. Compared to the previous system and thanks to a high flexibility in the energy source selection (solar at day, natural gas at night), the installation of the e-Ductflame™ will also enable Saint-Gobain h-old to:
• increase energy savings of fossil fuels
• reduce its operating costs.

Francesco Giudici, CEO of Fives ITAS, emphasised: "Our collaboration with Saint-Gobain is another example of our technological leadership and our commitment to decarbonise industry. This project will allow to accelerate the transition of the coating sector."

Saint-Gobain h-old declared: "The fruitful collaboration between the two companies for this project was possible thanks to a mix of innovation, collaboration and commitment to reducing environmental impacts, fully in line with Saint-Gobain's purpose "Making the World a Better Home", and with Fives' commitment to the decarbonisation of the coating sector."