Photovoltaics: ILSA SpA partners with Axpo Energy Solutions Italia to reduce its environmental footprint

(Arzignano, Italy) Solar energy is one of the most reliable technologies for reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This is exemplified by the new collaboration between ILSA SpA and Axpo Energy Solutions Italia (AESI), enabling the Vicenza-based company to increase its energy self-consumption sustainably.

For energy transition to be effective, industrial transformation is crucial, promoting decarbonization across production chains and reducing their environmental impact. Central to this effort are energy supply models that shift from non-renewable fuels to CO₂-free sources while fostering self-consumption configurations that support on-site energy generation where it is used.

In this context, the partnership between Axpo Energy Solutions Italia—an ESCo (Energy Service Company) within the Axpo Group specializing in energy efficiency—and ILSA SpA—a producer and distributor of biostimulants, organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers—offers a tangible example of energy transition in the industrial sector.

The collaboration led to the installation of a 340 kW photovoltaic system at the ILSA S.p.A. plant on Via Oliere e Saponiere Meridionali 21 in Molfetta, Bari. Utilizing solar panels, the company will generate approximately 419 MWh of clean energy annually, increasing its energy independence and reducing CO₂ emissions by 148 tons.

“To achieve the ambitious decarbonization goals set by climate policies, the production sector must be involved. Energy transition relies on engaging companies and maximizing their sustainable contributions,” said Marco Garbero, General Manager of Axpo Energy Solutions Italia.

“Photovoltaics is a strategic technology that enables companies of any size or sector to actively participate in the shift toward an increasingly environmentally sustainable economy. We are delighted to support ILSA SpA and help build a more sustainable future, generating benefits for the entire community.”

“For nearly seventy years, we have been producing fertilizers and biostimulants by upcycling by-products from other industries, using cutting-edge, albeit energy-intensive, production technologies,” explained Franco Cavazza, Industrial Director of ILSA. “This is why we have pursued a path to reduce our carbon footprint over the years—not only for our products but also by improving internal processes and production infrastructure.”

“Our Molfetta plant benefits from a strategic geographic position characterized by abundant solar radiation, allowing the new photovoltaic park developed with Axpo to achieve optimal energy efficiency,” Cavazza continued.

“With an annual production of 419 MWh of fully renewable electricity—70% of which is self-consumed on-site—the system will cover over 16% of the plant's electricity needs, reaching 100% during daytime summer hours. This investment not only reduces reliance on the electrical grid but also decreases CO₂ emissions by about 148 tons annually, equivalent to the emissions absorbed by 7,385 trees planted each year.”

“At ILSA, the sustainable and efficient use of energy has always been a priority. Back in 2010, we became the first in our sector in Italy to achieve UNI EN ISO 50001 certification, a milestone that demonstrates our commitment to responsible and rational energy management,” Cavazza emphasized. “With this project, we further enhance our use of renewable energy sources in line with the goals of J.M. Huber Corporation, the U.S. multinational that has owned ILSA since 2022, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.”

About Axpo
Axpo is driven by a single purpose: enabling a sustainable future through innovative energy solutions. Axpo is Switzerland’s largest producer of renewable energy and an international leader in energy trading, as well as solar and wind energy marketing. Axpo combines the expertise and skills of over 7,000 employees, all motivated by a passion for innovation, collaboration and impactful change. Founded in 2000 during the liberalization of the energy market, Axpo Italia is now one of the leading players across the entire energy value chain, ranking fifth in Italy's free electricity market.

About ILSA

Since 1956, ILSA has provided farmers worldwide with innovative products to improve crop yields. It produces and markets biostimulants, specific-action products, organic fertilizers and organo-mineral fertilizers in both liquid and solid forms. With a wide range of solutions for conventional and organic agriculture, ILSA is committed to meeting the demands of increasingly specialized and sustainable farming practices. The ILSA Corporate Research Center (CRA), established in 1976, collaborates with leading universities to maintain its position at the forefront of applied biotechnology in plant nutrition and biostimulation. ILSA operates four production plants: two in Italy (Arzignano and Molfetta) and two in Brazil (Porto Alegre). With a global presence, the company adheres to the highest safety standards and sustainability criteria, combining economic growth with environmental responsibility.