The contract awarded by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security  to a consortium led by e-GEOS, part of the Leonardo Group, which also includes MapSat, Planetek Italia and the University of Cassino.

e-GEOS, a joint venture between the Italian Space Agency  and Telespazio of the Leonardo Group, is leading the consortium that has been awarded the contract by the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security  – Directorate-General for Circular Economy and Remediation, for the satellite mapping of the presence of asbestos cement across Italy.

Through the use of very high-resolution multispectral satellite images and advanced classification techniques based on artificial intelligence algorithms, the initiative will enable the updating of the inventory of asbestos-cement roofing on public and private buildings.

“The potential of Geoinformation solutions is fully realised when technology is put at the service of safety and, as in this case, in support of institutions, with the ultimate goal of delivering tangible benefits for citizens’ health,” C. Milena A. Lerario, CEO of e-GEOS, commented. “In this context, being part of a major industrial group such as Leonardo makes it possible to leverage advanced expertise, technologies and system integration capabilities, thus enabling the use of very high-resolution satellite images and advanced data analysis techniques. This approach supports the ability to address complex challenges by achieving a more in-depth and widespread understanding of the territory. These concrete contributions are instrumental in shaping public policies based on accurate and up-to-date data, which are essential to protect the environment and improve people’s quality of life.”

The study areas, distributed across the entire national territory, were identified by the regional administrations and include settings with different levels of urbanisation and human activity: from schools and hospitals to industrial areas with a high concentration of production facilities. The remote detection of asbestos-cement roofing enables subsequent assessments of their state of conservation by specialists and represents a strategic tool to support the competent authorities in planning intervention priorities.

In addition to the lead partner e-GEOS of the Leonardo Group, the consortium also includes MapSat and Planetek Italia, with scientific support from the Department of Electrical and Information Engineering (DIEI) of theUniversity of Cassino.