Advanced technologies and non-polluting solutions in support of protecting lake ecosystems and reducing the environmental impact of public transport on lakes.
Lugano, 17 December 2025 – Azra Advanced Materials AG, a subsidiary of Azra Tech—an international technology group specializing in the development of advanced materials and sustainable solutions—and Società Navigazione del Lago di Lugano (SNL) are continuing the collaborative path launched in 2023, aimed at promoting low-environmental-impact lake navigation through the use of products and technologies that do not pollute lake ecosystems.
As part of this collaboration, SNL has adopted on its four vessels—San Gottardo, Sant’Ambrogio, Milano, and Morcote—the “durable ultra-low-friction biocide-free coating” system developed by Azra Advanced Materials AG, headquartered in Lugano. The coatings have immediately proven to increase vessel efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact thanks to their formulation, which is free of biocides and traditional silicones and fully compatible with lake waters.
In particular, the San Gottardo, the first vessel to be coated, showed significant results during lake trials carried out on 14 April 2023: maximum speed increased by 6.4% compared to design values, while fuel consumption was reduced by more than 6%, with an estimated reduction of over 52 tonnes of CO₂ emissions over the next five years. These advances improve the efficiency and sustainability of the fleet, making SNL the first company in Switzerland to adopt this technology and contributing in a pioneering way to the protection of the lake environment.
In line with Azra Tech’s sustainability vision, the strategy promotes investments focused on zero environmental impact and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. This strategy is called Zero Impact Innovation (ZERO³) and represents the three “zeros”: no toxic releases, certified anti-friction efficiency performance, and emissions reduction aligned with carbon targets. The strategy integrates with SNL’s initiatives for low-impact navigation—such as vessel electrification and CO₂ emissions reduction—strengthening the commitment to cleaner lakes and sustainable public transport.
The collaboration between Azra Advanced Materials AG and SNL demonstrates how innovation can be integrated into fleet modernization, supporting more efficient and sustainable lake mobility and contributing to the preservation of Lake Lugano as a natural heritage and a shared community resource, while also strengthening public transport and the area’s tourism appeal.
Azra Tech states: “We are proud to collaborate with SNL to bring sustainable technological solutions to the vessels operating on Lake Lugano, demonstrating how innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand.”
Through its Swiss subsidiary Azra Advanced Materials AG, the company has recently been authorized by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) and the Swiss Technology Fund as an eligible enterprise for CO₂-reduction initiatives in the navigation sector, underscoring its strategic role in promoting sustainable maritime practices.
