Cairate - The Hydrogen Valley construction site is revealed in Cairate: "Where paper used to be produced, green hydrogen will now be produced." - Varese News

A packed auditorium and great public interest were met with enthusiastic support for the presentation of the "H2 Olona Hydrogen Valley" project, held this evening at the Cairate auditorium.

Around 200 people attended the public meeting organized by the Municipality and the Expand company, which sponsored the project. The project aims to transform the former Vita-Mayer and Vima paper mill into a hub for green hydrogen production and for the urban and environmental regeneration of the Olona Valley.

The evening, moderated by the journalist Andrea Della Bella , saw the participation of the mayor of Cairate Anna Pugliese , the mayor of Lonate Ceppino, Clara Dalla Pozza , the CEO of Expand Christian Vitali , the architect of the studio that won the ideas competition and a design engineer of the plant.

A sustainable and shared vision for the future of the valley

"This is about hydrogen production, green hydrogen, powered by a photovoltaic park. Therefore, it's about clean energy production. We'll generate energy and oxygen from the water, making it a completely sustainable project that will undoubtedly breathe new life into what has been an abandoned area for many years and, above all, will boost urban regeneration," explained Christian Vitali, CEO of Expand, outlining the details of the project, which has been in the works for over two years.

Vitali emphasized that the Hydrogen Valley in Cairate—funded with €11.5 million from the PNRR—will be zero-emission, powered exclusively by renewable energy, and will be able to attract high-tech companies, generating new employment and production opportunities.

A green ecosystem between Malpensa and Milan

Meanwhile, at Malpensa Airport, work is underway on the first hydrogen refueling station for heavy vehicles, which will serve the airport's vehicles. In addition to SEA, numerous strategic local partners are involved, from transport and logistics companies to institutions such as the Lombardy Region.

Quality of life, environment and territory at the centre

Mayor Anna Pugliese also expressed great pride, highlighting the social, economic, and environmental value of the initiative: "But the main thing that drove us to support this initiative from the start is that it will undoubtedly improve the quality of life, both in terms of the social fabric and environmental protection. That area has been abandoned for 50 years, with all its environmental problems: this is a real opportunity for redemption."

Pugliese also noted that the master plan for the area—which covers approximately 650,000 square meters between Cairate and Lonate Ceppino—envisions the remediation of toxic materials, the safety of the Olona River, and the restoration of the area's natural beauty, with new spaces available for public use.

A hub for innovation and energy transition

In addition to institutional representatives, the architect from the winning firm of the ideas competition also spoke, presenting the project's urban design, and a specialized engineer, who described the characteristics of the 2 MW electrolysis plant, capable of producing 102 tons of green hydrogen per year. The project also includes a second experimental plant for producing hydrogen through the hydrolysis of sludge from the nearby sewage treatment plant, in collaboration with universities and companies in the sector.

The H2 Olona Hydrogen Valley is an innovative and circular ecosystem, combining the environment, technology, economy, and social inclusion, with a vision for the future of sustainable mobility and regional decarbonization.