SMET Group has been among the pioneers of the green turn in the trucking industry. Aware of the need for an energy transition, since 2014 it has invested in the purchase of latest-generation LNG-powered Ecotrucks, in research and development of new technologies and alternative fuels to diesel. «The exponential increase we are experiencing in the cost of LNG cannot and must not fall entirely on companies that have invested in the development of sustainable transport modes with targeted industrial plans – added De Rosa – We risk compromising the energy transition, which the high cost of fuel makes uneconomic for companies in the sector».

Domenico De Rosa concluded with an appeal to the Institutions: «In this sense we hope for a decisive intervention by the Government, with the aim of protecting the energy transition underway. We ask not only for strict supervision of price increases, but also and above all for measures similar to those contained in the recent Save the Bill Decree, which will make it possible to contain the costs of electricity and gas. Finally, in our opinion, the defiscalization of Ecotruck vehicles is strategic, as we have already had occasion to request it through our trade associations».

L'articolo Domenico De Rosa, CEO of SMET Group, on high fuel prices proviene da SMET.

Il taglio del nastro a Torino

Alla cerimonia del taglio del nastro erano presenti numerose personalità del mondo dei trasporti. Fra gli altri, erano presenti Laure-Anne Moune, Green Mobility & LNG Business Developer di Engie Italia, e oRoberto Gambaro, World Material Flow Operations Director, di CNH Industrial. Accanto a loro, unica realtà del settore del trasporto merci e della logistica, l’amministratore delegato di Smet, Domenico De Rosa. È stato lui, insieme agli altri, a officiare il taglio del nastro. Subito dopo, un mezzo LNG dell’azienda ha effettuato il primo rifornimento presso uno degli erogatori della stazione di rifornimento.

La nuova stazione di rifornimento LNG

La nuova stazione di rifornimento per mezzi LNG trova posto nella sede industriale del gruppo CNH Industrial, su Strada delle Cascinette a Torino. Uno snodo strategico, a ridosso della rete di trasporto autostradale e tangenziale. La stazione di rifornimento si sviluppa su di un’area di circa 5 mila metri quadrati ed è realizzata appositamente per i mezzi pesanti alimentati a gas naturale liquido. In particolare, la stazione è dotata di due erogatori di LNG e quattro di CNG (gas naturale compresso). Inoltre, la stazione possiede anche alcune colonnine per la ricarica dei veicoli elettrici.

L'articolo Inaugurata la nuova stazione di rifornimento LNG di Torino proviene da SMET.

The Group is currently at the forefront of the use of innovative, sustainable and safe modes of transport, with a view to a policy of decarbonising road transport. In fact, it is one of the pioneers, at European level, in the use of the latest generation of Eco Truck vehicles powered by LNG (Liquid Natural Gas), which are increasingly effective not only in terms of environmental sustainability but also in terms of vehicle performance. On the basis of the indications provided by the European Union with the objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 30% by 2030, the company also makes a significant contribution to the development of intermodality, which makes it possible to combine road transport with other less polluting modes of transport. In this sense, the impulse given to intermodal maritime transport at European level – in partnership with the Grimaldi Group – has been particularly decisive, especially in regards to the routes of the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Smet Group’s commitment to environmental sustainability is finally reflected in the active role played by the company in the foundation of Alis: the Logistics Association of Sustainable Mobility, born from the desire to promote intermodal transport in Italy, making known the advantages to Italian companies operating in the road haulage sector. But above all with the establishment of the first professional school dedicated to the training of sustainable drivers. The training courses are offered free of charge to all under 35, with the aim of bringing young people closer to a professional figure that, in the coming years, will be increasingly important for companies operating in the transport sector. «We are the pioneers of sustainable transport in our country, thanks to the partnership with Mecar Iveco that has allowed us to equip our fleet with an increasing number of Eco Trucks powered by LNG – explains the Managing Director. “For some time I had in mind a training initiative that could have a very positive impact from the point of view of youth employment: those who attend these courses will in fact face the labor market with specialist skills, which increasingly require a specific professionalism in driving the new Eco Trucks. The job opportunities will be interesting, starting with our company, which by 2022 will operate exclusively with alternative traction vehicles».

To send in applications: https://www.smet.it/lavora-con-noi/

L'articolo Smet, looking for 100 “sustainable” drivers proviene da SMET.

The seminar organized by the Naturgy Foundation

The seminar, which was held last November 12, was dedicated to the most modern technological solutions used to implement liquid natural gas. It was organized in collaboration between the Naturgy Foundation and the College of Economists of Catalonia. Joep Armengol, director of TMB, a company that manages transport in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Antonio Calvo, head of Seat for the Sustainable Mobility sector, and Alessandro Guerra, country manager Spain, Portugal and Morocco for Smet, also took part in the event. “For us it is essential to promote days like these – said Martì Solà, general manager of the Naturgy Foundation – where experts help us to analyze the best alternatives to make cities more sustainable”. Each for the company he represented, therefore, brought his own experience.

Smet’s liquid natural gas freight fleet

«”The plan provides for an investment of about 50 million for the production of 3,200 loading units and 1,000 sustainable tractors – said Guerra – the European Union calls for a 30% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by 30% by 2030. In the last two years, Smet has already replaced 15% of its trucks with vehicles fuelled by liquid natural gas. It is no mystery, in fact, that by 2022 the Group will complete its plan to convert its fleet, by disposing of all vehicles not powered by LNG. A process that has already involved Spain, with the delivery of the first Iveco Stralis NP400.

Public passenger transport to LNG promoted by TMB

«Since 2000, when the project began – says Josep Armengol of TMB – methane buses have given cleaner air in Barcelona, due to low emissions of NOx and PM». The advantage, however, has not only been in the environmental field: «From the point of view of the operator – he continues – has been a guarantee of reliability in service, at costs similar to or lower than those of diesel».

Private mobility using liquid natural gas according to Seat

«Mobility with natural gas is currently one of the most efficient solutions, being twice as eco-friendly – explains Antonio Calvo of Seat – ecological on the one hand, because it offers low emissions, and economic on the other, because the cost per kilometer of a vehicle powered by natural gas is up to 50% less than gasoline and about 30% less than diesel». The time is ripe, therefore, to think about buying LNG vehicles: “The technology of vehicles powered by natural gas is already sufficiently developed, as well as safe and affordable – he continues – the prices of vehicles that use this technology are very similar to those of a conventional vehicle today.

L'articolo Naturgy Foundation, the convenience of natural gas proviene da SMET.

The right alternative

A constructive report that CEO Domenico De Rosa tells us as follows:«We collaborated in the development of the first models, providing Iveco with the results and impressions in daily operational use and so in 2017 we arrived at the most powerful version of 460 hp, which we believe is the most suitable as an alternative to diesel in commercial road transport». Today, the Smet natural gas fleet has one hundred units, but the company from Campania does not intend to stop there, on the contrary it has launched the challenge of arriving by 2022 to use a fleet consisting only of vehicles running on liquefied natural gas.«We want to have a stimulus function for the de-carbonisation of road transport and be pioneers on this road as we were twenty years ago of intermodality. We know that many hauliers are still very attached to diesel, but we believe that we are witnessing a paradigm shift and the culture of our industry must also evolve. This is also demonstrated by the fact that not only does the natural gas distribution network increase, but also the number of industrial vehicle manufacturers offering this alternative». As Smet has been using liquid natural gas road tractors for four years now over long distances, we asked De Rosa if this fuel imposes limits or operational changes:«Natural gas requires a study to make better use of the fleet and optimize routes, a normal activity in a company of our size that does not involve revolutionary changes. Today we are able to use natural gas in most of the services that we used to cover with diesel fuel, even on international routes, where those for France and Germany prevail. The only important operating limit we have found is the impossibility of using natural gas on lowered tractors, due to the position of the tanks, but we are sure that the manufacturers will be able to find a solution».

Towards “green” logistics

The distribution network is certainly not as widespread as that of diesel, but it does not seem to be a serious problem for Smet: «Tractors have tanks that guarantee an autonomy of up to 1,500 kilometres, sufficient for most of our transport», explains De Rosa, who adds an anticipation: «We are also equipping our internal network of distributors, with a view to 2022. At the beginning of 2019 we will open a liquefied natural gas distributor in Salerno and by 2020 we will open two more plants in Cassino and Melfi. Initially they will serve our vehicles, then we could open them to third parties». De Rosa argues that natural gas also reduces the cost of purchasing fuel by about fifteen percent compared to diesel, but reiterates that «the economic balance so far is a secondary element of our choice to convert the entire fleet to natural gas, because the main objective remains to implement sustainable logistics. And an important part of our customers, which is also attentive to the environmental balance, is showing interest in this choice. Some customers explicitly ask for natural gas trucks for their transport». Smet is also introducing natural gas tractors into its European subsidiaries, starting with the Spanish subsidiary, which is already using ten Iveco Stralis NP.

Source: tuttoTrasporti.it

L'articolo Smet’s eco-bet from October 2018 Tuttotrasporti proviene da SMET.

Target 2022: Smet ready for LNG transport

Smet’s managing director, Domenico De Rosa, announced the important initiative. During the opening ceremony of the LNG filling station in Baronissi Est, in front of Iveco president Pierre Lahutte, De Rosa recalled the results already achieved by the company in the sustainability of its transport: «We were among the first companies in the sector to strongly want the green turning point of road transport. Already in 2014 we have decided, in partnership with Mecar and Iveco, the entry into the fleet of an increasing number of Iveco Stralis 330 and 400, which are the new generation Eco Truck LNG more performing – recalled De Rosa – The use of these vehicles also brings real advantages in terms of performance, with an estimated saving in terms of fuel consumption of around 15% compared to a vehicle powered by diesel. We are sure that, in order to be successful, transport must first of all be responsible: in this regard, the joint action between the legislator and the manufacturers, which paves the way in this direction, is fundamental”.

The evolution of gas transport according to Smet

The strategy is the result of Smet’s commitment to sustainable transport. Only a few days ago, in collaboration with Iveco, a video was published announcing the logistics company’s vision of the future of transport. The evolution of the species, this is the title of the trailer, shows the results of policies that do not pay attention to environmental sustainability, particularly in the world of transport. Smet, on the other hand, imagines the use of all the technologies that would allow the reduction of harmful emissions, such as CO₂ and NOx particles. In particular, the company has been reconverting its fleet for some time now, purchasing several Iveco Stralis LNG, powered by liquid natural gas. According to the announcement, the conversion will be completed by 2022.

L'articolo Objective 2022: only liquid natural gas vehicles for Smet proviene da SMET.

The LNG filling station at Baronissi est

The inauguration of the first LNG filling station in southern Italy is an essential step towards sustainable logistics. The new plant is able to supply commercial vehicles fuelled by liquefied natural gas, the so-called LNG. The new filling station, however, is not only the place where the “full” can be carried out. Located in a strategic area of the main routes, the filling station is equipped with every comfort for hauliers.
In fact, ample parking spaces are available for users to park their vehicles. In addition, the structure has provided for the presence of bathrooms and showers, to allow the refreshment of the same. The area dedicated to the re-fuelling of LNG vehicles has been specially designed and provides for the presence of authorized personnel for this type of re-fuelling.

The presence of Smet’s Iveco Stralis LNG at the opening event

The importance of the event was underlined, among other things, by the presence of major players in logistics in southern Italy. Among these also Smet logistics, in the person of the managing director Domenico De Rosa. In recent days, Smet’s CEO had applauded the initiative that sees the company at the heart of the strategy of sustainable transport: “The Smet group is a clear example: we have always tried to honor with the utmost respect for the environment that surrounds us. Natural gas is the most ecological fuel, because it almost completely eliminates air pollutants,” he explains. In this sense, for some time now the De Rosa family company has been acquiring a large fleet of Iveco Stralis LNG. “I hope that we can soon increase the LNG network – continues De Rosa – whose lack of capillarity is, without a doubt, a deterrent to the green turn for many operators in our sector.”

The distributors of the Galdieri Petroli network

The Galdieri family, owner of the company C. Galdieri & Figli, has been operating in the sector of oil products and lubricants for motor vehicles for about 60 years. In recent years, the company has placed its supply systems in the areas of greatest strategic interest, from a commercial, cultural and tourist point of view. In particular, at present, the company owns nine plants: three in Fisciano, near the University of Salerno, two in Salerno, one in Agropoli, one in Mercato San Severino, one in Castel San Giorgio and, the last one, in Pontecagnano, near the airport of Salerno – Amalfi Coast.

L'articolo LNG, inauguration of the first petrol station in southern Italy proviene da SMET.

Ten new Iveco Stralis NP 400

The new Iveco Stralis NP 400, purchased by De Rosa’s Smet Spanish subsidiary, is designed for long-distance use, with power equivalent to that of diesel-powered vehicles. In particular, the new NP 400s are equipped with the Iveco Cursor 9 propulsion unit. An 8.7-litre engine, powered by natural gas, capable of developing 400 hp and a maximum torque of 1,700 Nm. In addition, Smet Spain’s Iveco NP 400s are equipped with a 12-speed automatic transmission for the first time in a natural-gas-powered truck. The Stralis NP 400’s automatic transmission ensures lower fuel consumption and greater driving comfort for drivers.

Smet Group’s commitment to the environment

With eight branches in Italy and five in Europe, Smet is aware that it plays a key role in protecting the environment. For this reason, together with Iveco, the transport and logistics group with a 70-year history has launched a campaign to acquire natural gas-powered vehicles, the so-called LNG. The acquisition of the new Iveco Stralis NP 400 by Smet Spain, in fact, is just the last step on the road to sustainable logistics, which has seen the acquisition of hundreds of vehicles powered by environmentally friendly fuels. A path that, of course, will continue into the future.

L'articolo Smet Spain, first tranche of Iveco Stralis NP 400 coming soon proviene da SMET.

Iveco Stralis LNG: the dream of sustainable transport

The Iveco Stralis LNG, as mentioned, is the natural fuel version of its older brother Iveco Stralis. In particular, in the Stralis LNG natural gas is stored in liquid form in cryogenic tanks. This means that the methane, used to power the engine, is stored at -125 °C in the tanks, from where it is directed to the engine, after being passed through a heat exchanger.
The new engine of the Iveco Stralis natural gas engines is called the Cursor 8 LNG. A 330 hp engine with manual transmission, Intarder and EBS as standard. This engine can be powered either by natural gas, a mixture of gases of which methane is present in a higher percentage (84%). Both biomethane, a fuel which, having undergone a further upgrading process, i.e. refining and purification, has a percentage of methane that can reach 98%.

Iveco Stralis methane vehicles, therefore, can cover applications from 18 to 40 tonnes. Moreover, their versatility makes them ideal for regional and national distribution. In fact, the configuration with 4 70-litre CNG cylinders and a 510-litre LNG cryogenic tank makes it possible to cover more than 750 kilometres.

Advantages of an Iveco Stralis LNG

The use of motors powered by liquid natural gas has several advantages. Both in terms of emissions into the atmosphere and fuel consumption. As a result, gas-powered vehicles offer environmental and economic advantages. Let’s take a closer look at them.

Environmental benefits of LNG vehicles

The use of LMG vehicles, such as Iveco Stralis, has numerous ecological advantages, making it the most eco-sustainable solution in the road transport sector. Compared to a vehicle equipped with a Euro 6 certified diesel engine, in fact, there is a reduction in emissions, both in terms of particulate matter and in terms of NO_{x and CO2 emissions. In particular, the quantity of particulate matter is 95% less than that of a diesel engine. For NOx, on the other hand, emissions fall by 35%.
Finally, a separate point for CO2. In this case, emissions drop from 10% to 100% when using biomethane. This allows it to be used in motor vehicles, with a consequent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The reduction of emissions, however, does not only concern gaseous emissions. Compared to a diesel engine, the natural gas engine also reduces average noise emissions by 5 decibels. This makes natural gas vehicles ideal for both urban transport and night-time use.}

Economic advantages of LNG-powered transport

As mentioned above, LNG transport does not only offer ecological advantages. In addition to these, it is also possible to extract economic benefits. Starting with the reduction of fuel costs. Compared to diesel, natural gas costs up to 40% less. In general, the total cost of ownership can be reduced by up to 10%.
In more concrete terms, estimates have made it possible to calculate that over approximately 40.000 kilometres travelled over the course of a year for regional distribution missions, the economic savings obtained compared to a diesel-powered vehicle amount to approximately 10.000 euros. This saving becomes even greater with regard to waste collection missions. In this case, estimates have made it possible to calculate savings of up to 20 thousand euros over a year.

Iveco Stralis LNG in the Smet De Rosa fleet

For all these reasons, Iveco Stralis LNG are the vehicles chosen by Smet De Rosa for its fleet of vehicles. Thanks to an agreement with Iveco, in fact, the company chaired by Luigi De Rosa has created a new fleet of methane gas vehicles. A choice in line with the principles of the company, which has always aimed to reduce the environmental impact of its road transport and make logistics increasingly environmentally friendly.

L'articolo Iveco Stralis LNG, the strength of methane feeding proviene da SMET.

Smet’s new ecological fleet

Those that will be bought by Smet, however, are not just Iveco Stralis. These are the newest vehicles in LGN, liquefied natural gas. It is a special feeding technology, which guarantees a reduced quantity of emissions into the environment. The new vehicles ordered by Smet are equipped with an Iveco Cursor 8 C-LGN Euro 6 330 hp engine. The engine system is also equipped with an LGN cryogenic tank with a 510-litre capacity and 4 CNG cylinders with a total volume of 70 litres. All in all, the range of these new Stralis tanks exceeds 750 kilometres, making them perfect for medium and long-distance use.

The novelty, however, lies in the reduced environmental impact that these vehicles have. Each of them manages to reduce the amount of particulate emissions by 95%, compared to an equivalent diesel engine. In addition, the new Iveco Stralis LGN also reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 35% and carbon dioxide emissions by 10%. If the Stralis are then powered by bio-methane, CO₂ emissions can be reduced by up to 100%.

Smet’s attention to the environment

The low environmental impact that the new Iveco Stralis allow us to achieve is a step in the direction that Smet has always followed in its history. Since its foundation, the company’s sole director, Luigi De Rosa, has always focused on the environment.

For this reason, together with the Stralis fuelled by liquefied gas, Smet logistics and transport will also receive the new Stralis equipped with the new Iveco Cursor 11 engine, Euro 6. A 480 hp engine equipped with the innovative HI-SCR catalytic reduction system. This is a technology recently introduced by Iveco, which allows emissions to be brought into line with Euro 6 standards without the addition of complex components that would weigh down the vehicle.

In this way, Smet continues to focus on sustainable logistics and sustainable transport. Smet, together with the De Rosa family, has always focused its attention on environmental protection. It is no coincidence that in 2016 the company received an award for reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the air. Thanks to the ecological solutions adopted by De Rosa’s Smet, the company has reduced its CO₂ emissions by 19.710 tons.

L'articolo A new fleet of sustainable vehicles for De Rosa’s Smet proviene da SMET.