Clivet heat pumps for ICMA Sartorial Paper in the province of Lecco
The building

ICMA Sartorial Paper in Mandello del Lario, operating since 1933, is a company specialised in the production of creative and customised paper, which has always been attentive to ethics, sustainability and the promotion of women's work.

The industrial complex, built in masonry and reinforced concrete with prefabricated extensions from the 1970s, covers approximately 7,000 m² divided into three warehouses, without significant thermal insulation.

The challenge

In 2023, the owners decided to retrofit the air conditioning system, in line with their commitment to sustainability and employee well-being. The existing system, based on gas heaters, did not include any cooling system in the production departments and warehouse, causing considerable discomfort during the summer. The changing rooms were served by a traditional boiler and the secondary departments by a few split systems.

  • The objectives of the project were clear:
  • Eliminate combustion equipment and the internal gas system;
  • Improve thermal comfort in all seasons;
  • Maximise self-consumption from the 300 kWp photovoltaic system;
  • Reduce emissions and risks associated with the use of fossil fuels.

Among the main critical issues were the management of the water loop with an underground tank at a lower level than the users and the presence of highly variable thermal loads, which required a flexible and stable system design in all operating conditions.

The solution

A heat pump system with a water loop (WLHP) and VRF was installed, completely replacing the previous gas system. The new, fully electric configuration ensures constant comfort and maximum integration with photovoltaic production.

The main units installed include:

  • 3 SHEEN EVO 2.0 WiSAN-YSE1 40.2 heat pumps (102 kWh/94 kWc each) for the production and warehouse areas;
  • 13 VERSATEMP EVH-X SPACE 12.1 indoor units (38 kWh/29 kWc) distributed throughout the various warehouses;
  • 1 VRF MV6i-XMi 560T system (56 kWh/56 kWc) for smaller departments;
  • 1 EDGE EVO 2.0 EXC WiSAN-YME 1 S 14.1 heat pump and 2 AQUA PLUS SWAN-2 300S units for heating and domestic hot water in the changing rooms.

The outdoor units were placed on the roof of the auxiliary building and in the technical room dedicated to the VRF, while a 250 m³ flywheel tank ensures the correct regulation of the loop circuit.

The results

The intervention has brought concrete benefits from both an energy and environmental point of view:

  • Total elimination of gas use, with a consequent reduction in fire risk;
  • Introduction of summer cooling in production areas, improving operator comfort;
  • Increase in photovoltaic self-consumption, even with greater installed power;
  • 49% reduction in CO₂ emissions (from 357.7 to 182.3 tonnes/year);
  • Transition from energy class E to C (without considering the contribution of photovoltaics);
  • 20% reduction in heating costs, with a positive economic balance thanks to the compensation of summer consumption.

Project protagonists

  • Owner: ICMA SB Srl
  • Plant design:
    • Michele Luigi Coffano, Engineer – Studio Associato Ingegneri Papetti
    • Federica Francesca Maria Tacchelli, Engineer – Studio Ing. Tacchelli
    • Marco Viel, Engineer – Studio Viel & Associati
  • Installation: Sguazza Impianti S.r.l.
ICMA pompa di calore Clivet per acqua calda sanitaria ICMA unità di trattamento aria Clivet