Last Thursday, in the presence of Institutions and key local stakeholders, Q8 and Lifegate presented the Q8 Sailing for Change project in Naples, which involves the distribution of innovative Water Cleaning kits across 40 ports in Italy. These kits are made up of sponges capable of absorbing up to 99% of oils and hydrocarbons.

Naples, September 13, 2024 - On September 12, at the Naples Rowing Club, Q8 launched the "Q8 Sailing for Change" project in the presence of Institutions and important local stakeholders. This initiative, carried out with the technical and scientific support of LifeGate, was designed to celebrate Q8's 40th anniversary in Italy. The goal of the project is to raise awareness of accidental incidents caused by the everyday activities of small boaters and fishing vessels, such as bilge water cleaning, refueling, and engine maintenance. Furthermore, the project aims to promote more responsible and informed behaviors by offering practical solutions that can help prevent these issues over time.

As part of the project, two types of innovative kits have been introduced: one for distribution to ports and one for boaters. These kits contain FoamFlex sponges, which are patented and developed by the Italian company T1 Solutions.

These sponges are made of open-cell polyurethane foam, with a hydrophobic rate of 95% and a hydrophilic rate of over 99%, meaning they repel water by up to 95% and absorb oil by more than 99%. They can be reused up to 200 times without losing their absorbent properties or the material's durability, thus reducing the risk of dispersing polluting material into the water. Additionally, they allow for the recovery and storage of collected oils for reuse in certain production cycles, contributing to the circular economy and significantly reducing the disposal of solid waste.

Specifically, the kits contain:

• Port Kit: includes 10 rectangular sponges, each 3 meters long, used to absorb oils and hydrocarbons in case of spills in the port’s body of water.
• Boaters Kit: distributed to 1,000 boaters, it contains 3 sponges, disposable gloves, and bags for collecting the oil-soaked sponges. It is designed for use in emergency situations, such as small spills in the water or in the boat’s bilge, helping to prevent potential contamination.        

The goal of the project is to equip 40 Italian ports with these innovative kits by 2025, capable of collecting up to 2,700 tons of oils, equivalent to a fuel tank for over 960,000 cars. Additionally, Q8 Italia plans to provide 1,000 boats (with inboard engines) registered for the 2024 edition of the Barcolana regatta with the boater kits.

“We wanted to begin our journey right here in Naples, a city with which we have always had a strong connection due to the presence of our most important logistics hub, which is strategic for the supply of the entire South of Italy. Paying attention to the community in which we operate is a fundamental element for us,” said Bashar Al Awadi, CEO of Q8 Italia. “This is why we are active in the Naples area with projects that contribute to the social, cultural, and economic growth of the city, of which Sailing For Change is an important example.”

The Project

"Q8 Sailing for Change" is a sailing journey around the Italian peninsula, aligned with Q8's ESG objectives. The chosen vessel is the Wizard, designed by Studio Valicelli and built by Yacht 2000.

The project is carried out with the technical and scientific support of LifeGate, a benefit corporation that has been considered for over twenty years as the reference hub for sustainable development.

The Tour Schedule

After Naples, the Q8 Sailing For Change journey will stop in Messina (September 19-20), Brindisi (September 26-27), Ravenna (October 3-4), concluding its voyage in Trieste (October 9-13), where Q8 will take part in the prestigious Barcolana regatta.

About Q8

Q8 is one of the leading players in the Italian energy sector, ensuring the mobility of people and goods. The company operates throughout the entire integrated downstream cycle, from refining to the end consumer, thanks to an extensive network of service stations across the entire national territory, supported by a logistics system that coherently supports the entire distribution network. Additionally, Q8 is active through other Group companies in the segment of sustainable biofuel production, as well as in the direct sales market (off-network), lubricants, and fuels for marine and aviation sectors. At the core of Q8's strategy is business sustainability, which it pursues by synergistically combining environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.

Connexia – Press Office for Q8

Michela Spagnuolo - michela.spagnuolo@connexia.retex.com - +39 366 6971634                          
Gioiamaria Ciavarelli - gioiamaria.ciavarelli@connexia.retex.com - +39 342 1687624                      
Luna Piombino - luna.piombino@connexia.retex.com - +39 389 7627506