The startup SANTELMO, which plans to renovate the yachting world with a line of eco-sustainable yachts, is part of NOI Techpark, the technology park set up in Bolzano in 2017.
Dedicated to research and innovation, NOI Techpark is home to startups, businesses, researchers and students, totalling over a thousand people who, like SANTELMO, work to foster Italy’s ecological and economic transition. With a professional network and a broad range of services, NOI Techpark supports research and development projects, nurturing new talent and helping startups grow.
A wide sustainable project
Hydrogen technology
The common thread uniting the NOI Techpark community is a focus on eco-sustainable innovation, a cornerstone of the design philosophy of SANTELMO, whose boats will be produced with over 90% recyclable materials, built from aluminium alloy, and equipped with fuel cells powered by green hydrogen.
With over 15 years’ experience developing green hydrogen technology, the province of Bolzano is at the cutting edge of hydrogen technology. About 10 years ago, the first green hydrogen production, storage and refuelling station was built in Bolzano and has for years been serving the hydrogen buses still operating in the province.
The only waste element produced by SANTELMO boats will be water, because their propulsion systems are based on green hydrogen fuel cells produced in collaboration with the German Hofer Powertrain. In addition, the production process for these boats will involve no road but only sea transport, once again with a view to limiting impact on the environment.
The South Tyrol technology park is therefore the perfect location to produce this line of boats, which sets out to take a new step forward on the path to a more sustainable Italian yachting industry in terms of the design, construction, use and, not least, disposal of its world-famous products.
