ENGINEERING POLYMERS FORUM DESIGN & PROCESSING
7|8
MAY
2025
MUSEO ALFA ROMEO
ARESE, MI
The event, the only one of its kind in Italy, that brings together the world of high performance polymers applied in all industrial sectors
Now in its eleventh year, Smart Plastics 2025 involves all the sector’s main players: material producers, suppliers and users of parts and components, process and automation system manufacturers, engineers and designers.
A highlight will be the presence of leading figures from the academic and research world, as well as from world class brand owners, who will describe the current trends in the field of innovative materials, processes and applications.
In previous years, the event has hosted major names such as:
Dainese, Cornaglia, Pininfarina, Ecoesedra, MMDesign, ZaafDesign, Artsana, Ducati, Elica, Electrolux, Ferretti, SKF, Stellantis, Technogym and others.
The numbers
of last edition
Our Plus
TOPIC AERAS
metal replacement
high performances
lightweight
surfaces
sustainability
e-plastics
Speakers
Raffaele Abbruzzetti
Sales Director
Arburg
Silvia Antolini
Sales Manager
CS Plastic S.r.l.
Excellence in multi-component moulding: modular, flexible solutions for optimising moulding processes in the plastics industry.
ARBURG has more than 60 years of experience in multi-component injection moulding, offering consolidated know-how and specialised technical support to its customers. For several years, ARBURG collaborates with CS PLASTIC to develop turnkey solutions that integrate injection moulding machines, rotary tables, indexing tables, and moulds. This partnership ensures a highly efficient and versatile “allrounder” system.With a complete range of multi-component machines – available in vertical, horizontal, electric and hydraulic configurations – ARBURG provides flexible solutions for every production requirement. CS PLASTIC, with its rotary tables, index and advanced moulds, optimises moulding cycles, even allowing the simultaneous injection of several materials and significantly reducing cycle times. We will present concrete case studies, illustrating how specific customer requirements have been transformed into tailor-made solutions, thanks to the synergy between ARBURG’s technological innovation and CS PLASTIC’s expertise.
Vincenzo Riviello
Research and Development Engineer
Bawer S.p.A.
Innovative and sustainable solutions:
the "Plug&Play" quick-insert system
In a competitive market that is increasingly focused on environmental issues, Bawer has innovatively addressed the challenges of the industry by creating a “Plug&Play” quick-insert system made of technopolymer to fix components to the chassis of heavy-duty vehicles intended for freight transport.
This was made possible through the interaction of the various components of the assembly system, which allow the technopolymer to effectively replace traditional materials such as metal, thus providing a valid alternative to conventional systems.
We will present two case studies that demonstrate how Bawer’s “Plug&Play” system meets the diverse needs of the market, offering a versatile and efficient solution.
Davide Rossi
Referente tecnico commerciale per settore materie plastiche
BRE-MEN ACCIAI
Ottimizzazione dello Stampaggio tecnico ad Iniezione: Confronto tra Acciaio P20 e Alluminio QC-10 tramite Simulazione Moldex3D
Studio comparativo prestazionale tra due leghe per la realizzazione di stampi ad iniezione: acciaio P20 contro alluminio QC-10. Lo studio evidenzia come le leghe di alluminio ad alte prestazioni rappresentino una soluzione vantaggiosa per migliorare la qualità del pezzo e l’efficienza del processo nello stampaggio di componenti complessi nel settore automotive.
Maurizio Di Marzio
Industrial Designer
Di Marzio Design
The modeling of the form in the creative process of the project: the transition from the analogical to the digital method.
How the use of the perceptive organs has changed
With the advent of digital technologies, we have changed the way we manage our perceptive instruments and consequently, the working method. In particular, the physical relationship in the manipulation of the mock-up in the creative phase has left room for the use of highly versatile 3D software. It is important to understand whether having excluded tactile perception from the project development may have created imbalances in terms of language and reading of the form.
Jonathan Tellers
Technical Development Engineer
Distrupol
Design and process optimisation:
A simulation-driven approach using Moldex3D
Distrupol is a European leader with 60 years of excellence, innovation and expertise in the sales and application development of thermoplastic polymers and elastomers. Working across all industries, Distrupol is known for its technical expertise in helping our clients design and optimise the use of its polymers as well as supporting their production processes. The present study showcases the design and process optimisation of a PA6 injection moulded component, employed as a structural element for a rubber track pad on military tanks. By leveraging our in-house Moldex3D simulation software, we analysed the existing design and moulding conditions to identify the leading causes of quality issues on the moulded parts. Our subsequent simulation-based recommendations demonstrated how an alternative design could lead to significant improvements in part quality and cycle time, reducing overall production costs and increasing throughput. This study displays Moldex3D’s effectiveness in addressing complex injection moulding challenges and driving process improvements.
Matteo Terragni
Managing Director
ENGEL Italia
Thermoplastic composites: one-shot innovation with ENGEL organomelt technology
Thermoplastic composites have already proven their potential, but the real challenge lies in taking them to the next level in terms of production efficiency and performance. Today, advanced molding technologies enable the manufacturing of complex components with integrated functions in a single process, completely eliminating secondary operations. ENGEL has refined this vision by developing the organomelt technology, a process that seamlessly integrates organosheet forming and injection molding into a single step, ensuring utmost precision, exceptional repeatability, and significantly reduced cycle times. For high-volume production without compromises on quality and design, this is the way forward: one mold, one process, one finished component ready for seamless integration into production.
Sergio Monteverde
Responsabile commerciale Italia
Ewikon
Gabriele Colombo
R&D Project Manager RxPack
The future of Pharma injection moulding:
Competence, technology, efficiency
Efficiency, precision, and repeatability are crucial in injection molding, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. The use of complex resins and the stringent process conditions in
cleanroom environments require innovative technical solutions. Collaboration between companies in selecting and implementing these technologies enables ambitious goals to be achieved. The integrated use of digitalization makes data available, facilitating
analysis, sharing, and the development of corporate expertise.
Massimo Persico
Plant Manager
GEWISS
Integrated approach to selecting transparent polymer materials for lighting optics
The GEWISS approach to polymer material selection for lighting applications integrates optical, mechanical, and durability assessments. Key indicators include yellowing index (UV and thermal), optical losses, and post-processing stability. Practical examples include the use of PC and PMMA, selected through a standardized internal workflow to ensure long-term high performance.
Claudio Rossi
Product Manager Advanced Manufacturing Italia
GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS
Revolutionizing Automotive Plastic Mold Manufacturing
Our new Femto laser source, now integrated into our largest machine platform, is transforming automotive plastic mold manufacturing by delivering unmatched precision and speed. It enables ultra-sharp surfaces on large parts while also offering high-speed machining for applications where extreme sharpness is not required. This breakthrough optimizes both quality and efficiency, setting new industry standards.
Micaela Lorenzi
CEO
Greenchemicals
Intrinsically flame retardant polyamide, halogen and antynony free
The world of self-extinguishing agents is facing a real earthquake: on the one hand, safety regulations are increasingly strict supported by ever more stringent tests; on the other, there is a demand for additives with low environmental impact to replace the traditional ones based on halogens and antimony. Greenchemicals has always been committed to research into more sustainable and “greener” self-extinguishing agents, and today presents an intrinsically self-extinguishing polyamide masterbatch, free of halogens, melamine and antimony trioxide, obtained by a reactive extrusion process. This polyamide copolymer, to which the additive is added in the compound phase, makes it possible to reduce the percentage of halogen-free self-extinguishing additives or to obtain a fire classification already.
Maurizio Mezzelani
R&D Manager
Fratelli Guzzini S.p.A
Challenges and New Opportunities Arising from the Use of Post-Consumer Recycled Polymers
Fratelli Guzzini, a historic Italian brand that has been producing design-oriented plastic articles for daily use at the Table and in the Kitchen since 1912, has always been committed to creating sustainable products that are reusable, durable, and designed to outlive fleeting trends through careful design evaluation. Through bold choices for the times, in 2019, they aimed to accelerate the transition towards increasingly responsible and sustainable production by replacing traditional virgin polymers with post-consumer mechanically recycled polymers from differentiated waste collection.
By illustrating three case histories, the challenges encountered, the solutions developed, and the opportunities that responsible and sustainable design has enabled will be highlighted.
Gabriele Lamperti
Technical Service Engineer
LATI Industria Termoplastici
All-around metal replacement:
strength and conductivity at work
Reinforced polymers are often selected for economical metal replacement. But how do you proceed if you want to replace metal under significant mechanical stress, or if you need to evacuate heat? That is when materials with specific formulations and ad hoc design and moulding tools become necessary. LATI introduces two such case histories: the design and realisation of structural elements for STEM’s new robotic electric roller carrier, and that of Vossloh Schwabe’s high-power LED lighting housing. Mechanical robustness and thermal conductivity at work.
Ing. Andrea Azzini
Sales Manager
LEHVOSS ITALIA
High-performance thermoplastic compounds with low environmental impact: LEHVOSS Innovation for a sustainable future
The advanced materials industry is facing a crucial challenge: to combine outstanding performance with low environmental impact. For this, LEHVOSS has developed an innovative approach in raw material selection and compounding technology to obtain polyamides (aliphatic and aromatic), PA11, PA12, PA1012, PPS and PEEK with glass fibre, carbon fibre and recycled carbon reinforcements. This new paradigm makes it possible to offer high mechanical and thermal performance solutions with a reduced carbon footprint, thus meeting sustainability requirements without compromising on performance.
Claudio Russo
R&D frames - Injection plastics leader
EssilorLuxottica
Innovation and Sustainability: Challenges, Successes, and Future Perspectives of Technopolymers in Eyewear
The story of techno polymers in EssilorLuxottica products is a success case born from cross-industry collaboration and continuous innovation and product diversification. Eyewear, though seemingly simple, involves complex material and process diversifications. In our presentation we will see how, driven by our values, we have integrated a high-performance techno polymer into a successful product line, addressing technological and processing challenges. Finally, we will interrogate about the future of these materials and their place in an industry that embrace sustainability as an intrinsic characteristic.
Maurizio Frigerio
Sales Director Italy and Balkans
Meusburger
The marriage of sustainability and technological innovation: the new challenges of the industry
Now more than ever, innovation and adaptation to technological trends imposed by the market are crucial to maintaining high competitiveness. Quality and efficiency must necessarily walk hand in hand with new customer requirements, such as the search for engineering plastics for metal replacement and optimizing the management of recycled materials.
As a leader in mold normals and a supplier of choice for hot chamber injection systems, we are actively involved in the adoption of the new polymer solutions that are revolutionizing thermoplastic molding. Every one of our technology choices is designed with a keen eye on sustainability, reducing environmental impact and meeting the daily challenges of the industry.
Alex Terzariol
General Manager
MM Design
The skin of objects
Increasingly, good design objects are not limited to form, function or their color, but express perceptual qualities capable of engaging people.
The skin of a material acts as an interface between users and the world, creating a direct sensory connection that influences perception and experience. This presentation explores how material surfaces communicate intangible values, evoke emotions, and establish a meaningful connection between products and users. With multisensory engagement, the skin of objects enhances their perceived quality:
- Sight provides the first impression, shaping expectations through color trends that enhance aesthetic appeal.
- Touch enables deeper interaction, in which textures and finishes contribute to the decorative and functional aspects of polymer surfaces.
- Smell is linked to memory and emotions, reinforcing the sensory identity of the material.
Through new trends in pigments, finishes and textures, we explore how these factors influence the perception of an object, adding real or perceived value to the material. Sense-driven design tends toward the creation of aspirational and desirable products that resonate emotionally with those who own and use them.
Raffaele Pugliese
NeMO Lab Research Center,
ASST GOM Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy
The impact of AI on smart polymers for biomedical innovations
The convergence of AI and smart polymers is revolutionizing biomedical innovation, enabling advances in material design, functional performance, and patient-centric solutions. This talk highlights the impact of AI, including large language models, on the design, optimization, and prototyping of polymeric materials for medical applications. Case studies will showcase human-AI collaborative framework for tissue engineering, wearables, and drug delivery. Ethical and technical challenges will also be discussed, emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration. By merging datadriven insights with material science, this work outlines a roadmap for future healthcare innovations.
Omar Mantoan
Sales Director
Plastmeccanica
Ing. Andrea Azzini
Sales Manager
Lehvoss Italia
Professional cases and technical items for uncompromising applications: high safety and reliability thanks to the use of long-fibre compounds.
Thanks to the collaboration between Plastmeccanica and Lehvoss, thermoplastic compounds with long glass or carbon fibres revolutionize HPRC case line-up, offering superior performance over traditional materials. Their structure ensures exceptional impact resistance and unrivalled protection, making them ideal for professional use. This paves the way for new opportunities in industrial and military fields. A case study will be presented on the use of long-fibre compounds in the production of technical cases.
Vito Mogliani
General Manager
Polyram Italy
Polyramid : High quality recycled polyamides and low Carbon Footprint created in Reverse Engineering to meet the most complex requirements
Polyram proposes a solution to overcome the main limitations in the use of recycled compounds by employing a production process that is extremely attentive to the variability of raw materials and by creating solutions that are ad hoc and meet the needs that the application requires.
Claudio Ghilardi
Sector Focal Team Leader
RadiciGroup
RadiciGroup’s advanced polyamide solutions for the Water Management industry: new opportunities and challenges
The main challenges in the plumbing and heating industry include the complexity of the new systems and ever higher safety standards, together with the need for durability and performance. OEMs have to develop innovative solutions to satisfy more and more stringent regulations, such as the forthcoming EU standards for drinking water. RadiciGroup High Performance Polymers offers the plumbing and heating sector high technical performance polyamides and polymers suitable for metal replacement. Such products ensure the manufacture of efficient and effective components with excellent chemical resistance and long life.
Giuseppe Bossini
R&D manager
Rifra Masterbatches Spa
PCR PLUS PROJECT
Stefano Mortara
EMEA Application Development Labs Manager
Syensqo
Syensqo activity in Cars Electrification as an example of Application Developments
Syensqo Specialty Polymers leverages its expertise in polymer science within its application development labs to create advanced solutions for magnet wires in car electrification. By focusing on thermal stability, electrical insulation, and mechanical robustness, Syensqo develops high-performance polymer coatings that enhance the durability and efficiency of magnet wires. Through rigorous testing and collaboration with OEMs and TIER1s, Syensqo ensures its materials meet the stringent demands of electric vehicle applications, contributing to sustainable and efficient transportation.
Sebastiano Pozzi
Business Development Manager
Ultrapolymers Italia srl
Alessandro Cernicchi
R&D Director
Kask SpA
Your Partner from Design to Production:
a concrete example
In today’s challenging and competitive market, it is critical to bring a product to market swiftly, leveraging all available tools and support. That is why, as a trusted polymer distributor, Ultrapolymers offer comprehensive design-to-production support, providing expertise at every step, from concept to final production and use. Our team’s in-depth knowledge of materials, manufacturing, market trends and regulatory standards empowers our customers to achieve both innovation and efficiency. Partnership is key to the success of any project.
CASE STUDY: KASK SpA – helmet for Safety and Sport
event schedule
Registration
Introduction by:
Paolo Spinelli, Editor in Chief - PLAST
THE SKIN OF OBJECTS
Alex Terzariol, General Manager - MM DESIGN
RADICIGROUP’S ADVANCED POLYAMIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WATER MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY: NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Claudio Ghilardi, Sector Focal Team Leader - RADICIGROUP
PROFESSIONAL CASES AND TECHNICAL ITEMS FOR UNCOMPROMISING APPLICATIONS: HIGH SAFETY AND RELIABILITY THANKS TO THE USE OF LONG-FIBRE COMPOUNDS
Omar Mantoan, Sales Director - PLASTMECCANICA
Andrea Azzini, Sales Manager - LEHVOSS ITALIA
INTRINSICALLY FLAME RETARDANT POLYAMIDE, HALOGEN AND ANTYNONY FREE
Micaela Lorenzi, CEO - GREENCHEMICALS
INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: THE “PLUG&PLAY” QUICK-INSERT SYSTEM
Vincenzo Riviello, Research and Development Engineer - BAWER
Coffee break Networking
SYENSQO ACTIVITY IN CARS ELECTRIFICATION AS AN EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION DEVELOPMENTS
Stefano Mortara, EMEA Application Development Labs Manager - SYENSQO
OTTIMIZZAZIONE DELLO STAMPAGGIO TECNICO AD INIEZIONE: CONFRONTO TRA ACCIAIO P20 E ALLUMINIO QC-10 TRAMITE SIMULAZIONE MOLDEX3D
Davide Rossi, Referente tecnico commerciale per settore materie plastiche - BRE-MEN ACCIAI
Poliblend by Ascend: Local knowledge, global strength
Mark Power, Business Manager - Poliblend
CHALLENGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE USE OF POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED POLYMERS
Maurizio Mezzelani, R&D Manager - FRATELLI GUZZINI
ROUND TABLE: ‘OPTIMIZING PROCESSES IN MOLDING: PRODUCTION QUALITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY’
Closing of first day
Registration
Introduction by:
Aldo Rotta, Editor in Chief - PLASTDESIGN
THE MODELING OF THE FORM IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF THE PROJECT: THE TRANSITION FROM THE ANALOGICAL TO THE DIGITAL METHOD. HOW THE USE OF THE PERCEPTIVE ORGANS HAS CHANGED
Maurizio Di Marzio, Industrial Designer - DI MARZIO DESIGN
ALL-AROUND METAL REPLACEMENT: STRENGTH AND CONDUCTIVITY AT WORK
Gabriele Lamperti, Technical Service Engineer - LATI INDUSTRIA TERMOPLASTICI
EXCELLENCE IN MULTI-COMPONENT MOULDING: MODULAR, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR OPTIMISING MOULDING PROCESSES IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY
Raffaele Abbruzzetti, Managing Director - ARBURG
Silvia Antolini, Sales Manager - CS PLASTIC
PPCR PLUS PROJECT
Giuseppe Bossini, R&D Manager - RIFRA MASTERBATCHES
THE FUTURE OF PHARMA INJECTION MOULDING: COMPETENCE, TECHNOLOGY, EFFICIENCY
Sergio Monteverde, Responsabile Commerciale Italia - EWIKON
Gabriele Colombo, R&D Project Manager - RXPACK
Coffee break Networking
THE IMPACT OF AI ON SMART POLYMERS FOR BIOMEDICAL INNOVATIONS
Raffaele Pugliese, Scientific Research Coordinator - NEMO LAB Research Center, ASST GOM Niguarda Cà Granda Hospital
THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES: ONE-SHOT INNOVATION WITH ENGEL ORGANOMELT TECHNOLOGY
Matteo Terragni, Managing Director - ENGEL ITALIA
YOUR PARTNER FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCTION: A CONCRETE EXAMPLE
Sebastiano Pozzi, Business Development Manager - ULTRAPOLYMERS ITALIA
Alessandro Cernicchi, R&D Director - KASK
REVOLUTIONIZING AUTOMOTIVE PLASTIC MOLD MANUFACTURING
Claudio Rossi, Product Manager Advanced Manufacturing Italia - GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS
HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THERMOPLASTIC COMPOUNDS: LEHVOSS INNOVATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Andrea Azzini, Sales Manager - LEHVOSS ITALIA | In collaborazione con LEONARDI
Lunch Networking
DESIGN AND PROCESS OPTIMISATION: A SIMULATION-DRIVEN APPROACH USING MOLDEX3D
Jonathan Tellers, Technical Development Engineer - DISTRUPOL
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: CHALLENGES, SUCCESSES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF TECHNOPOLYMERS IN EYEWEAR
Claudio Russo, R&D frames - Injection plastics leader - ESSILORLUXOTTICA
THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: THE NEW CHALLENGES OF THE SECTOR
Maurizio Frigerio, Direttore Vendite Italia e Balcani - MEUSBURGER
HIGH QUALITY RECYCLED POLYAMIDES WITH LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT CREATED THROUGH REVERSE ENGINEERING TO MEET THE MOST COMPLEX NEEDS
Vito Mogliani, General Manager - POLYRAM ITALY
INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SELECTING TRANSPARENT POLYMER MATERIALS FOR LIGHTING OPTICS
Massimo Persico, Plant Manager - GEWISS
End of the conference
SUBSCRIBE NOW
ONE DAY
May 07 or 08-
Registration valid for participation in only one of the two-day event that includes:
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Coffee Breaks
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Lunch at your own expense (08/05)*
-
Alfa Romeo Museum visit: discounted ticket purchase at €8 (instead of €15)
EXCLUSIVE
May 07 and 08-
Paid registration for both days of event that includes:
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Coffee Breaks
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VIP LUNCH (08/05)
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Free visit to the Alfa Romeo Museum on May 8 (no guided tour)
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Free subscription to PLAST magazine
SPONSOR INVITATION
May 07 and 08-
Registration with discount code
for both days of event
that includes: -
Coffee Breaks
-
Lunch at your own expense (08/05)*
-
Alfa Romeo Museum visit: discounted ticket purchase at €8 (instead of €15)
Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Guest speaker
Patronage
Event Location
MUSEO STORICO ALFA ROMEO
viale Alfa Romeo, 20020 Arese (MI) – Italy
tel 02 444 255 11
[email protected]
The Museo Alfa Romeo tells the legendary story of the brand, via a project and an installation designed to reflect its values: historical presence, beauty and speed, an essential part of the Alfa Romeo Dna. As the visitors admire car after car, they travel through the company’s glorious history and also discover stories and curious facts with the help of videos, images and interactive access points, in a crescendo of emotions.
HOW TO GET TO THE MUSEUM
by public transport
The Museum is 15 km away from the city centre of Milan and can easily be reached by public transport.
Take the train or metro line M1 until the station of Rho-Fiera, then take bus line 561 Airpullman, destination Arese, which stops right in front of the Museum (the bus service is active 7 days a week. Tickets can be bought at the station of Rho-Fiera or at the ticket machine)
by car
The Alfa Romeo Museum can be reached by several routes: from the Arese/Lainate exit from the A8/A9 Lainate-Como-Chiasso and Milan-Varese motorways to the lakes; from the A4 Turin-Milan-Venice motorway; from the western Milan ring road that continues southwards with the A1 Milan-Rome-Naples and A7 Milan-Genoa motorways.
The Museum is close to the Lainate/Arese exit on highway A8.
Alternatively, it can be reached from provincial road SP 233 Varesina and state road SS 33 del Sempione.
Contacts
For information on
sponsoring the event
Guglielmo Calcagno – Publishing Advisor
[email protected]
Tel 02.3494367 – Cell 335.1500876
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