The future of Azimut|Benetti Group lies between eco-sustainable materials and advanced technology. Here’s our conversation with the interior designer Andrea Mazzolari.
In recent years, sustainability has become a central focus in the luxury yacht industry. To understand how a leading shipyard has embraced this shift, we spoke with Andrea Mazzolari, an interior designer at Yachtique, a specialized division of the Azimut|Benetti Group.
Founded in 2008 by Paolo Vitelli, the owner and CEO, Yachtique oversees the nautical interior design of yachts, particularly models like Azimut, as well as the design of club lounges at events and boat shows.
During the Milan Design Week 2024, the company reviewed its progress and outlined future goals regarding environmental responsibilities, including a 2023 collaboration with ENI to develop eco-friendly fuels.
What is sustainability for Yachtique?
It is essential to distinguish between sustainability and eco-sustainability. While sustainability is already well-established, eco-sustainability is still in development.
Achieving eco-sustainability requires ensuring that both the production process and the final product are sustainable. This concept permeates our entire supply chain, not just boat construction: our customers have embraced the sustainable choices we make for our yachts, recognizing that the Made in Italy style and elegance speak for themselves.
We aim to achieve complete eco-sustainability, offering a range of colors and materials comparable to traditional options. While we still use carbon and fiberglass, our global refit chain ensures that every boat performs at its best and meets the highest standards.
What sustainable technological innovations are featured onboard the new range?
The choice of materials in the yacht’s interior design goes beyond aesthetics to enhance the versatility of common spaces. For instance, the decision to replace teak with cork is driven by sustainability concerns. Cork is a practical, eco-sustainable material, sourced from the Mediterranean region, reducing the yacht’s weight and improving fuel efficiency.
It offers technical properties like thermal and sound insulation and fire resistance, making it a key feature in sustainable yacht interiors.
Which are your developments on materials for interiors?
We are exploring a wide range of sustainable materials for yacht interiors. Recently, we have introduced a textile made from recycled materials such as industrial waste, plastic, PET, and discarded fishing nets. This fabric, ideal for high-traffic vessels like charter yachts, is resistant to water, stains, and UV rays, making it perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
Since its introduction, this material has been widely adopted across Azimut and Benetti yachts and is now featured in nearly every area on board, highlighting our commitment to eco-sustainable solutions.
What about the Seadeck 6?
Onboard, we have introduced a 100% natural, silica-free sintered stone, which offers high resistance to weathering. This innovative material is featured in the open galley, where it integrates advanced eco-friendly yacht technology, such as a concealed induction hob, creating a seamless visual and tactile flow.
Do you have other ongoing projects?
In terms of leather, we are working with suppliers who use more eco-friendly processes. One example involves a supplier using waste from oil mills for leather processing, contributing to the sustainable luxury yacht approach.
Eco-sustainability encompasses not only production but also durability, with crews receiving maintenance cards to ensure fabrics and surfaces maintain their quality.
How do you choose your suppliers?
At Yachtique, we focus on both production and the protection of workers’ rights. We partner with local and Italian suppliers, particularly in Viareggio and Avigliana, ensuring high-quality materials and sustainable yacht solutions while promoting ethical practices.
