Cefla presents NOVA, the first fuel cell cogeneration plant in Europe

Posted On 20 October 2023 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Presented on October 19, 2023 at the Cefla HQ in Imola, NOVA is the first European installation of a fuel cell cogeneration plant for high-efficiency production of electricity and heat, without atmosphere pollutant emissions.

Last November, Cefla had announced its partnership with Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE) for the production and deployment of new Fuel Cell systems that generate electricity without combustion, resulting in zero noxious emissions in line with the decarbonization goals set by the EU. 

Today Cefla presents NOVA at its Imola headquarters: it is the first fuel cell cogeneration plant installed in Europe. The peculiarity of NOVA is the application of solid oxide technology in a CHP version, which enables the production of heating power in addition to electrical power. Thanks to an absorber, NOVA is also able to work in “cold” mode and produce cooling energy. Fuel cell technology is 25% more efficient than an endothermic source (engines or turbines) – power being the same. It also guarantees a level of electrical efficiency equal to 54% throughout its life cycle – which translates into greater control in financial terms; in terms of achievement of climate protection objectives, NOVA can have a leading role – in consideration of the fact that it can adapt to different power sources.

The partnership between Cefla and Bloom Energy expands the offering of clean energy available to Italian companies, supporting them in their progress towards the the goal of energy transition. This technology allows a number of sources including hydrogen, natural gas and green fuels such as biogas and biomethane to be converted into electricity without any combustion being required, resulting in CO2 emissions either minimised or eliminated depending on the type of fuel, and above all, eliminating particulate matter harmful to humans, e.g. NOx, SOx, CO. 

Decarbonization, which starts from an energy efficiency enhancing system, is key to achieving the climate protection objectives of the 2030 agenda and to implementing the EU’s long-term strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The role of fuel cells is crucial for many industries, from residential to industrial, and from the health care to the hotel and catering sectors, through cogeneration systems that include heat recovery. As early as last year, a well-known Italian automotive company created at its headquarters, together with Bloom Energy, a fuel cell system for the production of electricity.

Founded 91 years ago in Imola, Cefla is historically and professionally one of the top players in Italy in the fields of plant engineering in the civil sector (Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Allianz Tower in Milan…), energy supply sector (cogeneration and trigeneration) but also in the industrial sector and in the management of customer assets, including production assets. 

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT NOVA

“Cefla aims to encourage an active debate on issues regarding decarbonization, in order to reduce the carbon footprint, and therefore, harmful emissions into the atmosphere. The first step in this direction is to help businesses and large infrastructures to generate efficiency. This is how our partnership started with Bloom Energy, a leader in the development of this innovative technology, which has allowed us to develop a complete solution including heat recovery, to respond to any companies’ needs in this field”

Gianmaria Balducci, President of Cefla

“Very often it is precisely our plant engineering and technological choices that ensure our well-being in the places where we live, or determine how efficient and ‘clean’ those spaces will be, or to what extent our technologically cutting-edge working environment will be able to improve our business,” says Massimo Milani, Managing Director of Cefla’s Engineering BU. “At a time like today, implementing innovative technologies that guarantee improved efficiency, such as NOVA, is even more strategic, especially if environmental objectives are also actively supported. In this energy transition scenario, a number of analysis and consultancy projects are being developed by Cefla with companies that wish to implement strategies aimed at achieving the Net Zero objectives set by the European Union”.

Massimo Milani, Managing Director of Cefla’s Engineering BU

“After the events of the past year, Europe’s business and political leaders know that they must focus on improving energy security. We believe that the choice of Bloom’s technology associated with the NOVA system designed by Cefla offers effective solutions for Europe’s new power savings mandate and is an important next step in its eventual energy independence”.

Tim Schweikert, Senior Managing Director of International Business Development at Bloom Energy

“The ecological transition is a challenge that concerns us all – nobody excluded. The public and private sectors are also called to work side by side to win this challenge, because protecting our planet is a priority that we have committed to for the benefit of future generations. It is, therefore, an excellent sign that a top-class industry player like Cefla, deeply rooted in our territory, has chosen to be the first in Europe to experiment with a cutting-edge plant in the production of clean energy. An excellent sign that is part of the strategy established at an institutional level by the Pact for Work and Climate, within the scope of which the Emilia-Romagna Region has adopted the objectives set by the United Nations 2030 Agenda”.

Stefano Bonaccini, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region

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Cefla will attend the 2021 edition of Ecomondo Key Energy expo in Rimini!

Posted On 7 April 2023 By Alessandro Catellani /  
Questa foto è stata scattata ad Ecomondo 2019, precedentemente all'inizio della pandemia da Covid19

This photo was taken during Ecomondo KeyEnergy 2019, prior to the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic.

We’re beyond excited to announce that we’ll join the 2021 Ecomondo – Key Energy expo, from October 26th to 29th, 2021 at the Rimini Fairground, after the 2020 shut down, due to COVID-19.

As Engineering BU, we have been involved in the energy industry for almost 40 years now, designing, building, and managing cogeneration and trigeneration, heat recycling, and gas flow scrubbing plants, as well as the large district heating plants that supply heat and light to hundreds of thousands of people.

“Despite 2020 has been a difficult year, even tragic for many businesses, our balance sheet maintained a strong performance. This is a great source of pride for us and a drive to do better and achieve more and more. Additionally, taking part in the Ecomondo expo gives us the possibility to present many important topics and news, one above all, the acquisition of the German company Plant Engineering GmbH, which is specialized in the engineering and design of cogeneration and biomass plants”

Said Massimo Milani, Managing Director of Cefla Engineering.

Meet again at Ecomondo, from 26th to 29th October, will be the opportunity to meet our partners and new contacts, playing an active role in this era of great changes in the Energy world.

We can’t wait to see you on BOOTH 021, HALL B5D5!

Our Sales and Technical Teams will be ready to welcome you. 

Email us to request your Free Ticket!
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Financial Statements 2021 approved

Posted On 17 June 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  

In a year like that of 2021, which was again characterized by various critical issues related to the macro-economic and health scenario, as well as by uncertainty and consequent market volatility, the Cefla group achieved consolidated economic results with an EBITDA that reached 69 million. euros, a total net profit of 50 million..

The consolidated financial statements as at 31st December 2021 feature a markedly upward trend, reporting revenues for 574 million euro and a generalised growth in all geographical areas, and particularly in Europe. The Net Equity total figure stands at 308 million, with a 14% increase on 2020. The Group’s Net Financial Position on the year’s closing date recorded a positive balance of 99 million euro, a further significant improvement compared to the plus balance figure of 55 million at the end of 2020. These results were achieved in a global macroeconomic scenario that saw the Italian economy make a considerable recovery in the second and third quarters of 2021. The effects of the resurgence of the pandemic and tensions in global supply chains weighed on global economy in the fourth quarter of 2021 and in the first of 2022.

Find out more on the Cefla website:
https://www.cefla.com/en/financial-statement//

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Cefla in a partnership with MIPU for a cutting-edge “predictive factory” proposal

Posted On 1 February 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Cefla, a leader in Italy in the field of design and construction of technological systems, global service and energy production systems, has recently signed an agreement with MIPU, a partner whose main focus is on digitization, to offer its customers cutting-edge solutions in the field of Artificial Intelligence, energy management and predictive maintenance.

The agreement is perfectly in line with the vision of Cefla as a key partner for integrated solutions in terms of design, construction and maintenance of technologically advanced systems.

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the areas in which we operate as well as the processes in which we are involved. The strength of the partnership between Cefla and MIPU lies precisely in a common background of shared intents, experiences and skills of a large Italian industrial group – which for the past 90 years has been developing solutions to improve the well-being of the places where people live and work – and a dynamic enterprise like MIPU, which is leading the way on the digital front, and which, by leveraging the availability of an easy to integrate, modular proprietary software platform, is introducing predictive models in factories and municipalities, in order to reduce waste and costs and streamline management, enhancing existing assets.

Management in all its forms – of production, industrial or energy management plants – has always aimed to promote efficiency, starting from the enhancement of the existing assets and ideally, in a sustainable perspective based on interconnection. Viewing work as a sequence of interconnected steps, similar to links in a chain, implies that the improvement of any one of these links will positively impact and optimise every other link in that chain. There are three concepts underlying the so-called “predictive factory”: efficiency, because the management of human resources, materials and financial resources can be optimised; sustainability, because pre-existing data are used to design new operating methods (artificial intelligence will self-improve); and inclusiveness, as diversity (of age, vision, gender, ethnicity) and being open to receive new inputs can actually magnify the value of an existing process.

Cefla, with MIPU, has recently developed two new predictive maintenance platforms, C-cogenS and C-Platform, specially designed for energy production plants and technological systems in industrial plants – respectively. Through the IoT (Internet of Things) and the Internet (as opposed to the customer’s LAN), potentially every object in an industrial plant can have its own identity in the digital world and provide operational information to the maintenance service. The whole design and engineering process then happens through digital sensors, intelligent and interconnected, which by means of free Lan protocols transmit data to a cloud platform that interacts with Cefla’s and the customer’s systems (if an interface is required).

"The partnership with MIPU is a major step for us, and fits perfectly into a process that we started several years ago, which involves the development of increasingly integrated and digitised proposals, in order to obtain valuable solutions for our customers and our partners. The project we have in mind requires four-handed engagement, which will allow us to fine-tune our skills and identify the actual needs of our customers, in all the areas in which we operate, whether it is production plants with our Cefla Tech, an area in which we are investing considerable resources, or alternatively, technological systems or energy management systems. Energy management is a sector in which we have strengthened our highly sector-specific skills in recent years - with increasingly specialised solutions for the design and construction of cogeneration power plants, biomass plants and plant engineering services.
The path undertaken with Cefla is another, critically important step reminding us of how much MIPU has grown over the past 10 years,” comments Giulia Baccarin, CEO and Co-founder of MIPU, “and at the same time, of how much more there is for us to do. We strongly believe that we will have a significant impact on the sustainability and competitiveness of Italian industry and municipalities, an impact already measurable in the 160 customer companies that have chosen us and are growing with us every day".
Massimo Milani, Managing Director della Business Unit Engineering di Cefla
“Cefla, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, through its Engineering Business Unit deals with the complete "turnkey" development of project engineering, construction, installation and subsequent testing of technological, energy production and cogeneration systems.
C-cogenS, developed on MIPU software, is a detailed real-time monitoring system that Cefla can make available to its customers to monitor the global efficiency of a system and of every single component. Through this platform it is therefore possible to perform predictive maintenance on plants, as already happens in the Tor di Valle district heating plant in Rome, for the multi-utility company Acea.
Using a data source updated in real time, through IoT technologies and searchable dashboards, it is possible to keep assets monitored, ensuring energy efficiency and lower service costs. The system is also “Customer Oriented”, fully modular to adapt to any customer needs.
Based on the acquired expertise, Cefla and MIPU have then developed C-Platform for all-round management of the industrial building: it collects data in the field, integrates with existing BMS systems, and is able to store the data from all the systems to a single cloud, displaying them on advanced dashboards and communicating with its own or the customer's CMMS for the integration of scheduled maintenance plans".
Laura Cenni, Business Process Manager di Cefla Engineering
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New A2A 110MW power plant in Cassano d’Adda to be built by Cefla and Wärtsilä

Posted On 19 January 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Cefla, a leading company in Italy in the design and construction of cogeneration plants and in the field of power generation plants, will build a new 110 MW power plant with natural gas for A2A – to be installed at the existing Cassano d’Adda facility. The plant will be a dedicated facility for electrical power balancing service (for the Italian Capacity Market system) to ensure grid stability and to balance renewable energy sources which, in Italy, are currently on a constantly upward development trend.

The contract with A2A was signed by a consortium of companies formed by Cefla and Wärtsilä, a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets and will be implemented over the next two years.

The remarkable development of renewable sources in Italy and the further increase expected in accordance with the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) as part of the Energy Transition plan implemented at European level makes it necessary to create a number of backup power plants, suitable for quick starting, in order to guarantee grid continuity of service, stability and safety at times when the production of energy from renewable sources is reduced for climatic reasons.

In this scenario, A2A has launched this initiative which will be implemented by the Cefla/Wärtsilä consortium, based on a plant designed to make use of the most efficient technologies, with electric power up to 110MW to ensure power backup for the grid, ready to come into play within a few seconds. The technology applied requires the use of internal combustion engines built by Wärtsilä, highly suitable for this type of application because they ensure quick starts and low exhaust emissions.  

With this plant, A2A will contribute through the “Capacity Market” system to ensuring adequate grid safety – which is a necessary precondition for the constant growth of renewable sources in Italy, within the scope of the Italian national energy and decarbonisation plan to be implemented by 2030 and with PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funding.

The Capacity Market is a system managed by Terna, the Italian grid system operator, designed to guarantee system stability to support the expected increase in the national solar and wind energy production which is not programmable.

By securing this contract, Cefla further consolidates its position as standard-setter in the sector for the most efficient large-scale power plants with gas engines.

For us, securing a contract for this new plant in partnership with Wärtsilä is a source of great pride and a drive to continue to do even better and develop important innovations. Above all, our goal is to continue to invest in the energy industry - where we have strengthened our highly sector-specific skills in recent years - with increasingly specialised solutions for the design and construction of cogeneration power plants, biomass plants and plant engineering services in the Energy field.
Massimo Milani, Managing Director of Cefla's Engineering Business Unit
"Cefla, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, through its Engineering Business Unit will specifically deal with the complete "turnkey" development of project engineering, construction, installation and testing of the new plant - which will replace a previously existing plant. Cefla therefore plays a leading role in the construction of the new plant, which confirms the outstanding level of design and construction expertise reached by our company in the energy sector. Our expertise, acknowledged by the market, has allowed us to be selected by one of the top “Power Producers” in Italy, A2A, something we are extremely proud of. Another great achievement by our company – today present thanks to the Plant Engineering company on the German market, where we hope to develop new initiatives for innovative plants as part of the energy transition process,” explains Massimo Pinoli, International Energy Sales Director with Cefla Engineering".
Massimo Pinoli: International Energy Sales Director with Cefla Engineering
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Plastisavio has selected Cefla to build a new trigeneration plant

Posted On 14 January 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Cefla has designed a trigeneration plant for Plastisavio as part of their ambitious investment plan that seeks to channel 100% of the 2022 budget into GREEN projects.

Plastisavio, a company that has, since 1972, been building up its know-how and sharpening its skills in the industrial and food packaging lamination sector, has selected Cefla to construct a new-concept trigeneration plant as part of an ambitious 2022 investment plan.

For almost 90 years Cefla’s Engineering Business Unit has been designing, building and managing technological systems in the civil, industrial and energy sectors, improving well-being and comfort in the places where people live, work and share moments of leisure.

It has been involved in the energy sector for over 40 years. It designs, builds and runs cogeneration and trigeneration plants, heat recovery and gaseous flow purification facilities and large-scale district heating systems that provide light and heat to hundreds of thousands of people.

The Business Unit operates as a partner to industrial customers, providing them with close support in completing the energy and plant engineering set-up (especially on new plants).

This is done jointly with the end customer: construction of the plant/energy architecture, engineering of the content, construction of the facility and subsequent maintenance of everything that’s installed. Here, the project consists of a natural gas trigeneration plant.

It is based on a 2.3 MWe internal combustion engine capable of meeting the company’s internal electrical energy and refrigeration requirements up to a maximum of 1.6 MWf with the help of an absorption cooling system.

The project follows the supply of an initial 1.2 MWe trigeneration plant, built by Cefla in 2020. The latter was already providing self-produced energy more efficiently than traditional grid supplies, resulting in CO2 emissions savings of to 3,000 tons per year.

With this second-stage project, to be completed in 2022, Plastisavio will be able to self-produce all the energy needed for its production processes and achieve total savings of up to 9,000 tons of CO2 per year.

“A major investment for next year concerns energy. In addition to slashing

emissions and producing more power, we’ll be able to retrieve 100% of the thermal energy released by the engine and convert it to cooling power that can be used in production processes or used to heat buildings or dry recycled materials. Moreover, we’ve set up the system so that a district heating system for local schools and the public swimming pool can be established in the near future in collaboration with the municipality of Mercato Saraceno. It’s a very ambitious project indeed”, confirms Pierpaolo Rossi, General Manager of Plastisavio.

The organizational framework of Cefla’s Engineering Business Unit allows it to provide an integrated service that includes:

• Feasibility studies

• Engineering and technological design work

• Plant construction and maintenance

“While 2020 was a very difficult, at times dramatic year for many companies, we have succeeded in keeping the balance sheet extremely healthy. For us, this is a source of great pride and motivates us to do even better and push ahead with new developments. A key example of this is our ongoing investment in the energy sector, with the takeover of German company Plant Engineering GmbH, a specialized designer and builder of cogeneration power plants, biomass plants and plant engineering services in the Energy sector” states Massimo Milani, Managing Director of the Engineering BU. 

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An agreement to establish an Energy Hub at the new Pizzoli S.p.A. facility

Posted On 14 January 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Pizzoli, a leading Italian producer of fresh and frozen potatoes, has been prioritizing sustainability for years by making investments and implementing plans that safeguard the environment and protect natural resources. That solid commitment is seen throughout the supply chain: from field to processing, storage and final product packaging. Established in 1926 in Budrio in the province of Bologna, Pizzoli is a third-generation family business with a long record of success. Today, its goods are sold through all key outlets via successful brands such as Iodì (fresh potatoes), Patasnella, We Love and Professional (frozen potatoes).

Taking a forward-thinking approach, some two years ago this consolidated Italian company began working with Cefla to design a future-focused energy solution. This led, on 14/12/2021, to the signing of a major agreement: an ENERGY HUB incorporated in the new production plant that will soon be built in San Pietro in Casale, in the province of Bologna. The new Pizzoli production hub, which covers a full 18 hectares, will triple the current frozen potato output capacity and double it for fresh packaged potatoes.

Cefla s.c. – which will, in 2022, see its Engineering Business Unit celebrate its 90th anniversary – consists of 4 Business Units. Each has its own history of success, products and innovations.
Yet they are all part of a shared quest for improvement in which partnerships and skills interact to generate excellence and ensure satisfaction for all customers and stakeholders.
The Engineering Business Unit designs, builds and manages technological systems in the civil, industrial and energy sectors, improving well-being and comfort in the places where people live, work and share moments of leisure.

It has been involved in the energy sector for over 40 years. It designs, builds and runs cogeneration and trigeneration plants, heat recovery and gaseous flow purification facilities and large-scale district heating systems that provide light and heat to hundreds of thousands of people.

More specifically, Cefla will handle the construction and subsequent maintenance of a NEW TECHNOLOGICAL HUB consisting of a trigeneration power station, thermal power station, compressed air plant and water supply system. The project also includes the expansion of an ammonia refrigeration facility. Last but not least, a biogas production plant – fuelled by processing waste and process water purification- will be constructed.

“It’s been a fulfilling journey. For two and a half years, ever since the project was conceived, we’ve worked side by side with Pizzoli to bring it to fruition. The complexity and variety of the work make this project UNIQUE and will set the Cefla Energy Business Line on a new course over the coming years. I’d like to thank Pizzoli spa, especially Technical Manager Alberto Manaresi for the rewarding partnership and Nicola Pizzoli for placing his trust in us".
Sales Manager Italy of the Cefla Energy Business Line
“We’re extremely satisfied with the project co-developed with CEFLA for the Energy Hub at our new facility in San Pietro in Casale. This will provide the Frozen Food and Fruit and Vegetable Divisions with vital support as they seek to implement sustainable development plans. We selected CEFLA - a well organised, experienced firm with unmatched technological expertise - to partner with us through each stage of the project, from engineering and construction site set-up to maintenance management: an approach that optimises use of both our companies’ know-how, management skills and efficiency.”
Nicola Pizzoli : President & CEO Pizzoli S.p.A.
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Cefla will attend the 2021 edition of Ecomondo Key Energy expo in Rimini!

Posted On 14 January 2022 By Alessandro Catellani /  
Questa foto è stata scattata ad Ecomondo 2019, precedentemente all'inizio della pandemia da Covid19

This photo was taken during Ecomondo KeyEnergy 2019, prior to the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic.

We’re beyond excited to announce that we’ll join the 2021 Ecomondo – Key Energy expo, from October 26th to 29th, 2021 at the Rimini Fairground, after the 2020 shut down, due to COVID-19.

As Engineering BU, we have been involved in the energy industry for almost 40 years now, designing, building, and managing cogeneration and trigeneration, heat recycling, and gas flow scrubbing plants, as well as the large district heating plants that supply heat and light to hundreds of thousands of people.

“Despite 2020 has been a difficult year, even tragic for many businesses, our balance sheet maintained a strong performance. This is a great source of pride for us and a drive to do better and achieve more and more. Additionally, taking part in the Ecomondo expo gives us the possibility to present many important topics and news, one above all, the acquisition of the German company Plant Engineering GmbH, which is specialized in the engineering and design of cogeneration and biomass plants”

Said Massimo Milani, Managing Director of Cefla Engineering.

Meet again at Ecomondo, from 26th to 29th October, will be the opportunity to meet our partners and new contacts, playing an active role in this era of great changes in the Energy world.

We can’t wait to see you on BOOTH 021, HALL B5D5!

Our Sales and Technical Teams will be ready to welcome you. 

Email us to request your Free Ticket!
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Cogeneration is a strategic, sustainable and efficient choice.

Posted On 8 November 2019 By Alessandro Catellani /  

Would you be interested in a feasibility analysis for a solution that could turn into a highly competitive asset for your company?

Come and find out about it at Ecomondo “The Green Technologies Expo” in Rimini, from today until Friday 8 November – Booth 024 – Hall B5D5.

You will have a chance to meet our specialists and obtain personalised advice, in real time. During Ecomondo, there will be plenty of opportunities for in-depth analyses on topics including cogeneration, trigeneration, and “Capacity Market Power Stations” at the convention promoted by Italcogen ANIMA (Hall B5 Booth155), and hear a success story that begins with designing the ACEA Tor di Valle Cogeneration Plant in Rome – which has given us solid expertise to develop standard modular system solutions for over 20MW plants. Thanks to this expertise developed over time, we have recently secured a major contract for the construction of a 50MW cogeneration plant in Cottbus, Germany.

Come and see us at our booth 024 in Hall B5D5, to find out about all our cogeneration and trigeneration solutions, modelled on your own requirements for a strategic and sustainable choice.

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Riwal Ceramics chooses Cefla for its new cogeneration plant

Posted On 22 September 2016 By Alessandro Catellani /  

To renew its long-standing plant in Maranello where it produces the renowned Saime brand, Nuova Riwal Ceramics has chosen a high energy efficiency cogeneration plant by Cefla Plant Solutions. This new system, which replaces the one built in 1992, was designed, built and installed as a “turnkey” project. It can supply 4.4 MW of power and autonomously produces the electricity used to power the new production lines. The heat energy, instead, is fully retrieved by the spray driers used in the body preparation department. Everything has been designed to ensure outstanding energy efficiency. That is why it obtained the “High Efficiency Cogeneration” classification, which allows users to obtain so-called ‘White’ or Energy Saving Certificates (ESC) and ESU (Efficient System for Users) subsidies.

“Cefla has three decades of experience in designing and installing cogeneration plants for the ceramic industry. Riwal’s decision confirms how much the market appreciates our technical skills and our ability to identify the engineering solutions needed to optimise plants according to customer-specific production processes”, states Roberto Cocchi, managing director of Cefla Plant Solutions, “thus allowing perfect personalisation of the system and ensuring maximum energy efficiency”.

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