In Rosignano, Tuscany, work has officially started on one of Italy’s most significant projects for the energy transition. Solvay and Sapio have begun building a new facility dedicated to producing hydrogen generated exclusively from renewable sources, supported by €16 million in funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
The initiative is part of the Hydrogen Valley Rosignano programme that includes the installation of a 5 MW electrolysis system, developed and operated by Sapio, powered by a 10 MW photovoltaic plant built by Solvay. The entire site must be completed by June 2026 to meet the deadlines required by the EU funding framework.
Once operational, the facility will be capable of producing around 750 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, contributing to a 15% reduction in CO₂ emissions. The renewable hydrogen will feed Solvay’s peroxides production line, which serves several key industries, including electronics, water treatment and solar panel manufacturing.
The two companies aim to transform the site into a fully fledged renewable hydrogen hub, set to become a European reference point by mid 2026.
Company leaders have expressed strong enthusiasm for the partnership. Solvay highlights the project as a crucial step in its strategy to reduce its carbon footprint and accelerate the development of more sustainable industrial processes. Sapio, in turn, views the collaboration as a concrete example of how private-sector initiatives can actively support national decarbonisation efforts.
The director of Solvay’s Rosignano plant emphasised the importance of this milestone, describing it as a decisive move toward large-scale renewable hydrogen production and a clear signal of the company’s commitment to investing in technologies that can drive ecological progress.
With construction now underway, the Hydrogen Valley Rosignano project enters its operational phase, laying the groundwork for a cleaner and more competitive industrial future.
