Simona Amerio

Simona Amerio has played a leading role in the development of Italy’s largest biomethane plant, a project that brings together climate ambition, circular innovation, and female leadership in action. In collaboration with Ferrero and a company from the Snam Group, she oversaw the creation of a facility powered exclusively by by-products from Ferrero’s production sites in Alba and Pozzuolo Martesana. Each year, hazelnut skins, cocoa beans, and other organic residues are transformed into over 8 million cubic meters of renewable biomethane, which is injected directly into Italy’s gas grid, supporting the decarbonisation of Ferrero’s operations and contributing to national climate targets.

What makes this project transformative is not only its scale and technological innovation, but also the model it represents: a functioning ecosystem of industrial symbiosis. Operating at the intersection of energy infrastructure and food manufacturing — two sectors still largely male-dominated — she successfully navigated complex regulatory frameworks, brought together public and private stakeholders, and embedded sustainability into every phase.

This achievement stands as more than a facility: it is a blueprint for how inclusive leadership can accelerate climate action, empower communities, and reshape industry from the inside out.