ENGINEERING POLYMERS FORUM DESIGN & PROCESSING

7|8
MAY
2025

MUSEO ALFA ROMEO
ARESE, MI
organized by

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

37 Sponsor companies
25 Speakers
5 Guest Speakers
800 Profiled visitors

Our Plus

NEWS AND TRENDS
community
networking
sharing ideas
Authoritative speakers
brand owners of prestige

TOPIC AERAS

metal replacement

Increasingly competitive, plastics can also replace metals: light weight, simpler processes, integration of components and greater design freedom are the trump cards in the hands of engineering polymers.

high performances

The performance of the most advanced engineering plastics includes high mechanical, chemical and atmospheric resistance, for long-lasting results.

lightweight

Plastic materials and composites are getting increasingly lighter, making it possible to reduce energy and material consumption, especially in the transport sector.

surfaces

Quality and variety make polymer surfaces an indispensable element of contemporary design, in technical and aesthetic applications.

sustainability

Environmental protection, lower emissions and less waste: these are just some of the reasons why modern industry has to be committed to sustainability. The latest generation of engineering polymers are biodegradable and recyclable, both characteristics that help to protect our ecosystem.

e-plastics

Electric and self-driving cars for a mobility model abreast of times and more respectful of the environment. Smart Plastics 2024 will highlight the contribution of polymers to this evolution. A new challenge worth taking up.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

13.20

Registration

14.00

Introduction by::

Paolo Spinelli, Editor in Chief - PLAST

14.15

THE SKIN OF OBJECTS

Alex Terzariol, General Manager - MM DESIGN

14.30

RADICIGROUP’S ADVANCED POLYAMIDE SOLUTIONS FOR THE WATER MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY: NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Claudio Ghilardi, Sector Focal Team Leader - RADICIGROUP

14.45

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

15.00

INTRINSICALLY FLAME RETARDANT POLYAMIDE, HALOGEN AND ANTYNONY FREE

Micaela Lorenzi, CEO - GREENCHEMICALS

15.15

INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS: THE “PLUG&PLAY” QUICK-INSERT SYSTEM

Vincenzo Riviello, Research and Development Engineer - BAWER

15.30

Coffee break Networking

16.15

SPEECH A CURA DI NEXEO

16.30

SPEECH A CURA DI BREMEN- ACCIAI

16.45

SPEECH A CURA DI POLIBLEND

17.00

CHALLENGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES ARISING FROM THE USE OF POST-CONSUMER RECYCLED POLYMERS

Maurizio Mezzelani, R&D Manager - FRATELLI GUZZINI

17.15

ROUND TABLE: ‘OPTIMIZING PROCESSES IN MOLDING: PRODUCTION QUALITY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY’

17.45

Closing of first day

09.00

Registration

09.55

Introduction by:

Aldo Rotta, Editor in Chief - PLASTDESIGN

10.00

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

10.15

ALL-AROUND METAL REPLACEMENT: STRENGTH AND CONDUCTIVITY AT WORK

Gabriele Lamperti, Technical Service Engineer - LATI INDUSTRIA TERMOPLASTICI

10.30

EXCELLENCE IN MULTI-COMPONENT MOULDING: MODULAR, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS FOR OPTIMISING MOULDING PROCESSES IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY

Raffaele Abbruzzetti, Managing Director - ARBURG

10.45

PPCR PLUS PROJECT

Giuseppe Bossini, R&D Manager - RIFRA MASTERBATCHES

11.00

THE FUTURE OF PHARMA INJECTION MOULDING: COMPETENCE, TECHNOLOGY, EFFICIENCY

Sergio Monteverde, Responsabile Commerciale Italia - EWIKON

Gabriele Colombo, R&D Project Manager - RXPACK

11.15

Coffee break Networking

12.00

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

12.15

THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES: ONE-SHOT INNOVATION WITH ENGEL ORGANOMELT TECHNOLOGY

Matteo Terragni, Managing Director - ENGEL ITALIA

12.30

YOUR PARTNER FROM DESIGN TO PRODUCTION: A CONCRETE EXAMPLE

Sebastiano Pozzi, Business Development Manager - ULTRAPOLYMERS ITALIA

Alessandro Cernicchi, R&D Director - KASK

12.45

REVOLUTIONIZING AUTOMOTIVE PLASTIC MOLD MANUFACTURING

Claudio Rossi, Product Manager Advanced Manufacturing Italia - GF MACHINING SOLUTIONS

13.00

HIGH PERFORMANCE, LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THERMOPLASTIC COMPOUNDS: LEHVOSS INNOVATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Andrea Azzini, Sales Manager - LEHVOSS ITALIA | In collaborazione con LEONARDI

13.15

Lunch Networking

14.45

DESIGN AND PROCESS OPTIMISATION: A SIMULATION-DRIVEN APPROACH USING MOLDEX3D

Jonathan Tellers, Technical Development Engineer - DISTRUPOL

15.00

INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY: CHALLENGES, SUCCESSES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF TECHNOPOLYMERS IN EYEWEAR

Claudio Russo, R&D frames - Injection plastics leader - ESSILORLUXOTTICA

15.15

THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN SUSTAINABILITY AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION: THE NEW CHALLENGES OF THE SECTOR

Maurizio Frigerio, Direttore Vendite Italia e Balcani - MEUSBURGER

15.30

HIGH QUALITY RECYCLED POLYAMIDES WITH LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT CREATED THROUGH REVERSE ENGINEERING TO MEET THE MOST COMPLEX NEEDS

Vito Mogliani, General Manager - POLYRAM ITALY

15.45

APPROCCIO INTEGRATO ALLA SELEZIONE DEI MATERIALI POLIMERICI TRASPARENTI PER OTTICHE ILLUMINOTECNICHE

Massimo Persico, Plant Manager - GEWISS

15.45

End of the conference

SUBSCRIBE NOW

ONE DAY

May 07 or 08
FREE
  • Registration valid for participation in only one of the two-day event that includes:
  • Coffee Breaks
  • Lunch at your own expense (08/05)*
  • Alfa Romeo Museum visit: discounted ticket purchase at €8 (instead of €15)
FREE

EXCLUSIVE

May 07 and 08
85,40€
  • Paid registration for both days of event that includes:
  • Coffee Breaks
  • VIP LUNCH (08/05)
  • Free visit to the Alfa Romeo Museum on May 8 (no guided tour)
  • Free subscription to PLAST magazine

SPONSOR INVITATION

May 07 and 08
FREE
  • 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)
FREE
* For participants who REGISTER for the conference free of charge (even with SPONSOR INVITE), please note that lunch is NOT included in the free ticket for the second day of the conference. On May 8, it will be possible to have lunch (for a fee) at the Caffè Alfa Romeo Restaurant, choosing from Bar (sandwiches and burgers) or Lunch Buffet options. It is possible and recommended to purchase the lunch ticket, by booking it, as early as the morning of 09/05 to avoid queues at the ticket counters.

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

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)

Download Bus Timetables in PDF

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.

organized by

Contacts

For information on
sponsoring the event

Guglielmo Calcagno Publishing Advisor
[email protected]
Tel 02.3494367 – Cell 335.1500876

DBInformation is a content company specializing in B2B communication and services to support business strategies.

Centro Direzionale Milanofiori
Strada 4, Palazzo A, Scala 2 20057 Assago (MI)
tel +39 02 818301 fax +39 02 81830406
[email protected] www.dbinformation.it