De Nora Italy Hydrogen Technologies S.r.l., a subsidiary company of Industrie De Nora S.p.A (Milan, Italy) started the construction works of the Gigafactory, which will become Italy’s largest electrolyzer production hub, with a projected capacity of 2GW equivalent by 2030. The groundbreaking ceremony, including laying the foundation stone, took place in the presence of De Nora and Snam’s top management and national, regional, and local authorities.
The project is part of a larger multi-year expansion plan for the De Nora Group’s production capacity and involves constructing a production center in Cernusco sul Naviglio, spanning approximately 25,000 square meters. The facility will serve as Italy’s primary hub for electrolyzers used in green hydrogen generation, systems, and components for water electrolysis and fuel cells, and will also be a modern facility serving De Nora’s other divisions. In addition to its value from an industrial point of view, the project stands out by its strong focus on sustainability and innovation, adopting a modern concept of industrial architecture based on low environmental impact criteria.
The Gigafactory represents a primary industrial asset for De Nora and stands out internationally in terms of production capacity, qualifying as strategic to facilitate the achievement of the sustainability goals part of the European Green Deal. DNHIT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, secured approximately EUR 32 million through a concession decree in July 2023. This funding supports companies participating in Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI Fund) and is financed by PNRR – National Recovery and Resilience Plan resources. Additional funding, up to approximately EUR 63 million, may be available.
The initiative will support the reduction of electrolyzer production costs, making a significant contribution to meeting Europe’s projected final installed capacity and technology-neutrality target necessary linked to the energy transition process.
The location of the Gigafactory in a primarily industrial and manufacturing area not far from Milan will contribute to local economic and employment growth, with the expectation of creating around 200 direct jobs and about 2,000 induced employment opportunities. Construction is expected to be completed between late 2025 and early 2026.
Paolo Dellachà, CEO of Industrie De Nora, commented: “We proudly announce the start of the construction works of the Gigafactory, an ambitious and unique project in terms of production capacity and size, which confirms De Nora’s centrality on the European scene as a facilitator of the energy transition process. On the outskirts of Milan will rise the production hub of the future, an example of virtuous unity between sustainability and innovation, where much of the Group’s Italian production activity will be concentrated. It will be an architecturally sustainable project, perfectly integrated into the territory where it rises. It will benefit the community, but above all, it will be the fulcrum of a production of technologies for green hydrogen that will have a positive impact on the international decarbonization process.”