Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia) – “Our core business it is essentially the gasbut we also have hydrogen productsfor the new generation nuclear power plantsas well as for the CO2 capture. And then the fire prevention systems“. Salvatore Ruggeripresident and founder of Valvitalia, from its headquarters in Rivanazzano Terme, outlines the Group’s activity. In a growing market, in an evolving world. In the latest financial statement Valvitalia – since March 2023, Cdp Equity represents the majority shareholder at 75%, while the Ruggeri family participates in 25% of the Group through the Finvalv holding – recorded revenues of 181 million euros, an increase of 36% on the previous year.
Prospects for further growth?
“We reached the maximum in the years 2014-2015, we made 400 million, then Covid arrived, the drop in oil prices, then the sanctions against Russia, in short, everything happened, but the market always remains very active. Now we are climbing back up, we have an excellent order book, which for me is the best indicator. We have made a realistic plan, within a few years we will reach at least 300 million”.
Since the founding of Valvitalia in 2002, the world of energy has changed a lot, with what repercussions for those who work especially for fossil fuel plants?
“We all want a cleaner environment and renewable sources are the future. But the energy transition cannot be immediate. Even today 40% of the energy generated in the world is made with coal, in Italy we have 6 coal plants operating at full capacity regime. Methane gas will also continue to support energy demand for many years, as well as the production of hydrogen. We make a series of products, complementary to each other, such as the ball valve, the forged fitting, the insulating joints. to make the plants that are built around the world essentially for the extraction, treatment and transport of gas, this is our core business. We work in 113 countries, we have 8 plants, 5 of which are in Italy”.
The present is still gas, but what about the future?
“Until 2050 we have no doubt that we will continue to do what we do, in particular with regards to gas. But, thinking of a more sustainable future, we also make valves and fittings to store Co2, for plants that they allow us to retain carbon dioxide. And in addition to hydrogen, we are also ready for new generation nuclear power plants. We have also built the fire prevention system for a nuclear power plant.”
Since 2014 you have also been in the firefighting sector, with what prospects?
“With firefighting we now make 30 million, but we could grow very significantly. And with our automatic, patented firefighting systems, for example for long tunnels, people’s lives are saved.”
