Along the glittering shores of Campania, a vital environmental project is under way.
The province of Salerno is home to one of Italy's most captivating coastal landscapes, where rivers and sea meet in delicate balance. To protect that equilibrium, two Yanmar compact excavators are working at the heart of a large-scale maintenance program led by local contractor Edilsud by Mazza Massimo.
Based in Ascea, Edilsud has been entrusted by the local water consortium to remove accumulated dry sludge from 70 wastewater-treatment plants across the region, including sensitive coastal sites such as Marina di Ascea. The work is essential to maintaining water quality, public health and the integrity of the surrounding environment — a mission where reliability, precision and low impact matter as much as power.
‘‘To remove waste from water conducts can sometimes be a difficult process, given the unstable conformation of the soil and the poor visibility, above all. The Yanmar machines give us the confidence to operate safely and productively, allowing for a quick and efficient performance".
Safeguarding Vital Resource
Wastewater-treatment plants are the unsung protectors of everyday life. They ensure that domestic and industrial water is safely cleaned before being returned to rivers or the sea — preventing pollutants from harming ecosystems or entering the water supply.
In regions such as Salerno, where tourism, agriculture and fishing depend on clean water, keeping these systems running efficiently has a direct impact on local livelihoods and community well-being. Regular maintenance, such as the sludge-removal work now under way, is essential to ensure these facilities continue operating safely and effectively year-round.
Yanmar Technology in Service of Environment
For this demanding six-month project, Edilsud selected Yanmar's compact excavator range, supplied by authorised dealer Sunrise Trading Italy s.r.l. The company chose a ViO38-7 and a ViO17-1E mini excavators — a duo machines that combine performance, efficiency and low environmental impact.
The ViO38-7, powered by Yanmar's 3TNV88-ESBV2 engine delivering 25 hp at 2,200 rpm, serves as the main workhorse on site. It is used to dig and lift compacted sludge from sedimentation and drying tanks, load the material into trucks for transport and clean or level the base of treatment beds once emptied. Its true zero-tail swing design and hydraulics allow operators to work precisely alongside tank walls and within tight enclosures — a vital advantage on compact treatment sites, according to Yanmar.
The smaller ViO17-1E complements this work with agility. Equipped with a retractable undercarriage that narrows to just 37.4 in., it can pass through narrow gates and manoeuvre between tanks or pipework where larger equipment cannot.
The machine is used for detail cleaning around edges, channels and concrete structures, ensuring the entire plant is clear and ready for operation. With its low ground pressure and quiet, efficient engine, it performs the task with minimal disturbance to surrounding soil and vegetation.
Villano Oreste, dealer of Sunrise trading s.r.l. and main contact between Yanmar and Edilsud, said: "We've worked with Edilsud for many years, and Yanmar's excavators have always proven to be the right choice for demanding, precision work in sensitive environments."
Local Partnership, Global Vision
Sunrise Trading Italy s.r.l., based in Alfano (SA), has been part of the Yanmar dealer network since 2008, with a heritage that dates back to 1965 when the Villano family first established its mechanical workshop. Today, under the leadership of Villano Oreste, the company provides machinery sales, service and rental across southern Italy. Its close collaboration with Yanmar ensures that customers like Edilsud benefit from local expertise, rapid support and dependable machine uptime.
This partnership — between Yanmar, Sunrise Trading and Edilsud — embodies the spirit of Yanmar's Green Challenge 2050, a global vision to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero environmental impact. By combining advanced technology, local knowledge and a shared commitment to community well-being, Yanmar continues to demonstrate how efficient engineering can protect both people and nature.
"This project in Salerno shows how Yanmar technology can make a real contribution to the protection of water and the well-being of communities," said Maurizio Calchi, regional sales director — South Europe of Yanmar EMEA. "Through partnerships like this, we bring our Green Challenge vision to life — delivering innovation that supports a sustainable, thriving future.'"
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