As part of our blog post series for London Climate Action Week, we hear from Iris Ceramica Group about how they have put themselves at the forefront of efforts to tackle emissions in their industry.
At the Future London conference held on June 3rd, Iris Ceramica Group’s CEO, Federica Minozzi, joined 91 CEO John Dickie for a conversation about H2Factory® — the world’s first ceramics factory designed to be powered entirely by green hydrogen.
A pioneering initiative that not only reflects the tangible results of a long-standing commitment to sustainability, but also highlights the value of bold and forward-thinking leadership.
Commenting on the origins of this cutting-edge project, the CEO explained that the idea was born out of the need to respond to an increasingly conscious construction market, where “embodied carbon” is a key concern and sustainable material solutions are in high demand.
At the same time, the project expresses the Group’s determination to continue innovating and maintain its leadership in a rapidly evolving sector.
Iris Ceramica Group’s sustainable approach dates back to the 1960s, when founder Romano Minozzi coined the equation Economy = Ecology, laying the foundation for an industrial philosophy where environmental responsibility is an integral part of business growth.
This vision inspired the H2Factory® project, launched in 2019 with the demolition of an old facility in the Group’s production hub in Castellarano, making space for a new plant built to advanced standards and capable of producing and storing green hydrogen.
In 2023, the company signed an agreement with Edison Next to develop a new manufacturing standard powered exclusively by this clean energy source.
In May 2024, the pilot plant was activated: two temporary electrolysers, powered by renewable energy, began the testing phase, enabling the operation of a “hydrogen ready” kiln using a mix containing approximately 7% green hydrogen — a percentage that will increase with the installation of the permanent system.
In July 2024, H2Factory® produced the world’s first ceramic slab (3.2m x 1.6m, 12mm thick) made using a green hydrogen and natural gas blend — a historic milestone in the decarbonisation of the ceramics sector and a major step toward achieving national energy transition targets.
The CEO announced that Edison Next is currently working on installing the final 1 MW system, which will be capable of producing approximately 132 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.
This will power the kiln with a mix containing up to 50% green hydrogen, further reducing CO₂ emissions and paving the way toward 100% hydrogen-powered manufacturing in the future.
“This project is a concrete example of how a company can act as a cultural catalyst, promoting new models of sustainable development based on circular economy principles, technological innovation, and skills enhancement,” said Minozzi.
H2Factory® required not only cutting-edge technologies, but also a deep organisational transformation — from talent management and skills development to the implementation of new operational procedures. This shift brought in both new talent and new clients, opening up valuable opportunities for the Group.
The conversation closed with a powerful message for entrepreneurs facing resistance and challenges in adopting innovative solutions: “Have a clear vision and be patient: define how you want your company to be perceived, and stay true to that idea. Have the courage to innovate and think outside the box; results — even the most unexpected ones — will come in the long run, and they will make a difference,” concluded Federica Minozzi.