Elachem-Epaflex Polyurethanes and Main Group: a powerful Italian partnership.
Elachem, Epaflex Polyurethanes and Main Group Technologies have joined forces to revolutionize the footwear industry. This strategic partnership, which brings together industry leaders in the field of materials and technologies for footwear production, opens new boundaries for the creation of more sustainable, high-quality products. Elachem, a pioneer in the innovation of polyurethane systems for the footwear industry since 2001, has always placed quality and sustainability at the heart of its all-Italian production. Epaflex, specialized in polyurethane systems and TPU for footwear, with the launch of the innovative bio-based TPU Epamet®, confirms its leadership in the industry. By joining forces, they have now created a state-of-the-art industrial group for two decades. Thanks to vertical integration and a recent investment in a chemical plant, the group ensures complete control over material quality and increased competitiveness in the market. Main Group, an expert in injection molding machinery, completes the picture, bringing cutting-edge technologies and a deep understanding of the specific needs of the industry. This new synergy promises to offer many important benefits to the industry. Through their shared commitment to quality, sustainability and innovation, Elachem, Epaflex and Main Group are poised to mold the future of the footwear industry.
As Marco Valieri, Marketing and Sales Manager at Elachem Spa – Epaflex for Footwear Systems, explains, “This partnership is not just about bringing companies together, but creating a powerful synergy that will drive innovation and growth in the footwear industry. By working together, we can offer our customers a complete solution that combines the best of our worlds. It represents a fundamental step to consolidate our position in the market and promote the excellence of the Made in Italy label. The display of the tricolor boot during the fair, a symbol of this synergy, underscores our commitment to enhancing Italy’s craftsmanship and technological heritage. This year we invested in a significant upgrade of our machinery, confirming our determination to offer increasingly innovative and high-performance solutions to our customers.
What are the strategic goals this collaboration aims to achieve in the long term, both in terms of business growth and impact on the industry?
“Our goal is to stand out in those markets where product perception is linked to quality and innovation. In these contexts, competition based solely on price is bound to disadvantage us. For this reason, we have chosen to focus on an offer that enhances the quality of materials, advanced technology and made-in-Italy design. Our partnership with Main Group allows us to offer our customers complete and customized solutions that go beyond the mere supply of raw materials. The example of the tricolor boot with TPU insert clearly shows our ability to create unique and distinctive products that meet the needs of an increasingly demanding market.”
How will this new organizational structure enable you to respond more effectively to the increasingly sophisticated and customized needs of your customers?
“We are actively building an integrated technology hub between Elachem, Epaflex and Main Group, aiming at offering our customers comprehensive and innovative solutions. As the example of the machine presented today shows, our companies are working closely together to jointly develop and test new solutions. Thanks to this synergy, we are able to offer our customers a unique co-engineering service that combines our deep knowledge of materials with Main Group’s expertise in machining technologies. This vertical integration allows us to offer our customers a turnkey solution from design to production, ensuring utmost efficiency and quality.”
What are the expectations related to this edition of Simac Tanning Tech?
“It’s hard to say right now, we’re just getting started, but in order to ensure the success of a trade show, it’s critical to offer visitors a valuable experience. This means presenting significant news, creating networking opportunities and encouraging knowledge sharing. Holding a trade show every two years allows companies to develop innovative products and solutions, and visitors to discover the latest industry trends. An annual frequency, on the other hand, risks trivializing the event and reducing the impact of the innovations presented. In addition, the simultaneous presence of two similar fairs creates confusion and disperses the energies of exhibitors and visitors. It would be more effective to concentrate efforts on a single biennial event, which lasts longer and with a rich and varied agenda.”
What are your future plans for innovation and new product development?
“We observe a growing interest in the Work & Safety, outdoor and, more generally, sports footwear sectors, all led towards innovative next-generation materials. These materials offer superior performance but require the use of specific production technologies. To be competitive in this dynamic market, it is essential to invest in new machinery and processes. Although traditional machines still play an important role, it is necessary to combine them with more advanced solutions to meet the needs of an increasingly demanding market. The synergy with Main Group allows us to accelerate this innovation process, developing customized, cutting-edge solutions for the production of sports and outdoor footwear, boasting lightness, comfort and high performance.”
www.maingroup.com – www.elachem.com – www.epaflex.it
Marco Valieri, Marketing and Sales Manager Elachem Spa – Epaflex for Footwear Systems and Mariano Bonato, CEO Main Group Technologies, hold the tri-density boot at the latest edition of Simac TT