Biomethanol from household waste: the Show focuses on alternative fuels for the nautical industry

The production of alternative fuels, environmental sustainability, and the decarbonization of the nautical sector were the central themes of the talk “Biomethanol from household waste for the nautical industry”, held during the third day of the Sardinia Boat Show 2026 and moderated by Andrea Gianotti, Head of the Il Sole 24 Ore Research Center.

The technical aspects of the project were explored by Flavio Manenti, Full Professor of Chemical Plants “Giulio Natta” at the Politecnico di Milano and delegate of the Ministry of the Environment to the Technical Advisory Committee on Biofuels. During his speech, he illustrated the potential of biomethanol in terms of production, transport, and application within the nautical sector, focusing on the decarbonization opportunities it could offer to the industry.

From an operational perspective, Gianni Maurelli, Project Manager at CIPNES Gallura, explained how the biodigester designed for biomethanol production was conceived to respond to environmental and territorial needs, highlighting the environmental, energy-related, and strategic-industrial benefits of the project.

The panel also featured contributions from Mario Porcu, President of Sotacarbo S.p.A., on the prospects of biofuels in Sardinia; Simone Morelli, President of NSS Group and Founder of Cala dei Sardi, on the institutional and industrial network that led to the creation of the initiative; Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, on support strategies for biofuels; and Leonardo Salvemini, Professor of Environmental Law at the Università degli Studi di Milano and Senior Advisor at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), on the regulatory framework and evolution of environmental protection.

The industrial perspective was also addressed by Paolo Bertetti, Chief Innovation Officer and Vice President Technical & R&D at Sanlorenzo Yacht S.p.A., who illustrated the two main directions for reducing emissions in the nautical sector: energy efficiency and the use of carbon-neutral fuels.