As part of our ongoing efforts to advance sustainable heating solutions, we recently visited two leading Italian manufacturers—F.I.D.A. and Ecoflam— these companies are at the forefront of integrating low-carbon liquid fuels into heating technology.
What can we learn from Italy?
✅ F.I.D.A.: Pioneering ignition technology
Founded in 1945, F.I.D.A. has grown into one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of ignition units and components for modern oil condensing boilers. Since 2019, the company has been part of the renowned Beckett Group, a market leader in the EU, the US, and China.
Eurofuel visited the F.I.D.A. factory in Mogliano, near Venice, and was impressed by the company’s extensive product range and in-house expertise. Highly skilled staff manage all stages of production—from winding ignition transformers to designing and moulding plastic casings. “This allows us to guarantee the highest quality,” explains Francesco De Simone, CEO of F.I.D.A., adding that even semi-finished products undergo rigorous testing. Each finished ignition unit and transformer is 100% tested to ensure reliability.
“Our ignition components are also suitable for use with climate-friendly liquid fuels,” says de Simone. These tests are conducted in collaboration with various burner manufacturers, confirming compatibility with future-ready heating technologies.
✅ Ecoflam: Optimising burners for alternative fuels
Another key player, Ecoflam, is located in Resana, less than 40 kilometers from Venice, forming a hub of Italian expertise in burner technology. As part of the Ariston Group, Ecoflam is strategically linked with major brands like Ariston, Elco, and Wolf, collectively generating over three billion euros in annual revenue.
In 2023, Ecoflam celebrated its 50th anniversary. With five decades of expertise, the company is optimistic about the future. “Our burner division is working intensively on reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and developing devices compatible with alternative fuels such as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME),” says Paolo Merloni, CEO of the Ariston Group.
A highlight of the visit was a tour of Ecoflam’s test facility, where the use of climate-friendly liquid fuels in heating appliances is extensively studied. The facility continuously tests two dozen burners under long-duration conditions with various fuel blends, including pure and mixed combinations of HVO, FAME, and fossil-based liquid fuels. “The goal of this testing is to optimise burners for renewable liquid fuels,” explains Erica Furin, OEM & UK Subsidiary Director at Burner Division of the Ariston Group. The results are promising: climate-friendly fuels perform seamlessly in conventional burners already installed in well-known oil condensing boiler brands.
The “blue burner” and NOx reduction
Eurofuel’s Austrian colleague Christian Ulrich, Product Manager at EWO, closely observed how NOx reduction works in practice. “The flame is recirculated multiple times, meaning exhaust gases that would otherwise be emitted are also burned,” he explains. This technique results in a distinctive blue flame, earning these burners the name “blue burners.”
The importance of European cooperation
Our visit to these pioneering manufacturers reaffirms the need for a harmonized European approach to decarbonizing liquid fuels. The technology is advancing rapidly, proving that existing heating systems can adapt to more sustainable energy sources. However, supportive EU policies are essential to facilitate this transition.
We call on policymakers to:
- Recognise and support low-carbon liquid fuels as a viable pathway to decarbonization, complementing electrification and other renewable energy solutions.
- Encourage investment in testing and innovation, ensuring that manufacturers continue to refine their technologies for maximum efficiency and sustainability.
- Foster regulatory frameworks that enable a gradual and realistic transition, allowing consumers to adapt without unnecessary costs or disruptions.
