Founded in 1937, Giardini has pursued a continuous trajectory of growth and specialization, establishing itself as a benchmark in the synthetic leather industry, a sector where Italy stands at the pinnacle of quality and innovation.
Founded in 1937, Giardini has pursued a continuous trajectory of growth and specialization, establishing itself as a benchmark in the synthetic leather industry, a sector where Italy stands at the pinnacle of quality and innovation.
Specializing in the production of polyurethane synthetics for fashion footwear uppers, leather goods, and breathable, absorbent linings, Giardini expanded its focus in the early 2000s to include highly innovative products. By developing microfibers and technical materials for the safety and sports-tech sectors, the company has become a fundamental reference point for the entire market. Production takes place at facilities in Vigevano (Pavia) and Borgolavezzaro (Novara). The coating and finishing plants, as well as the executive headquarters are located in Vigevano, whereas the second facility, operational since 1996, is home to the coagulation plants and the warehouse. While the company has achieved and consolidated a significant presence in the Italian market, it now boasts a high degree of internationalization, operating in over fifty countries and exporting the majority of its production, particularly to Europe and the Far East.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SUSTAINABILITY
Creating a comprehensive product range requires diversified, cutting-edge facilities. To this end, Giardini utilizes state-of-the-art coagulation and coating lines, alongside a wide array of special finishing equipment that allows for the creation of the sophisticated aesthetics demanded by the fashion world.
However, while the use of advanced technology is a pillar of the company, equal attention is paid to environmental stewardship. A selective approach to raw materials and specific plant engineering enables the company to comply with the European Community’s strictest environmental protection standards.
We met with Anna Laura Biscaldi, Product Manager at Giardini and a representative of the company’s fourth generation. “Our green products guarantee greater sustainability compared to traditional products throughout their entire life cycle,” she explains. “We have modern abatement systems designed to minimize atmospheric emissions, and we have significantly reduced waste regarding water, electricity, and gas by upgrading and renovating our plants. We are implementing a gradual replacement of traditional resins with solvent-free alternatives and using backings made from recycled raw materials. We strongly believe in respect for the environment and pursue these goals with our green articles, obtained through low-impact production processes that are free from solvents and harmful substances.” The company maintains product and system certifications, such as ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems and ISO 45001:2018 for occupational health and safety. The latter attests to the voluntary application of a system ensuring adequate control over worker safety and health, in addition to compliance with mandatory regulations. ISO 14001:2015, regarding environmental safety, certifies that the organization possesses a management system capable of controlling the environmental impact of its activities, systematically seeking improvement in a coherent, effective, and sustainable manner. Finally, a crucial milestone in the journey toward becoming a sustainable company was obtaining the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), the most important international standards for the sustainable production of textiles made from recycled materials.
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MICROFIBER DIVISION
In 1998, the company added a Microfiber Division to its traditional lines. The goal was to develop a new class of products that, thanks to their softness, mechanical properties, lightness, water resistance, and breathability, are now the ideal solution for sports, safety, and casual footwear, as well as gloves, sportswear, and any application requiring high performance, comfort, and an extremely natural look. Today, due to an intrinsic structure that replicates natural leather, microfiber products represent the state of the art in synthetic leathers. With the Mycro line, developed in the 90s, the company became a key global benchmark in this field. “Today, Mycro represents the most advanced and high-performing material for technical and sports footwear,” Anna Laura explains.
RESEARCH, STYLE, SERVICE
The company goes beyond mere production; it carries out intense daily research, leading the Giardini team to work in close contact with the fashion world, while the R&D Laboratory continuously develops new products. “Continuous updates to collections and the improvement of technical and aesthetic characteristics are essential in a market strongly tied to the evolution of fashion. We believe we are the ideal partner for developing new articles or special colors for existing items. Thanks to our pilot plants, we can produce small runs of special materials in just a few days. Clients can then use these samples to create prototypes. The speed and quality of this service allow us to partner with the most prestigious international clients.” Precisely because the fashion sector is defined by constant novelty and tight deadlines, the company considers it fundamental to assist clients with pre-sales services. These services facilitate trend identification and the selection of the most suitable materials to interpret them, offering clients the ability to sample and test materials quickly.
PRODUCT INNOVATION
Since the early 2000s, Giardini has specialized in polyurethane-coated products and microfibers, permanently eliminating PVC production. Currently, R&D is focused on solvent-free products for the footwear and leather goods sectors, as well as polyurethane films for cutting and digital printing across various markets. The company offers a line of articles that can be plotter or laser-cut (the DECOCut Line), and others that can be digitally printed (the DECOPrint line) and heat-applied via hot press. These items are used for decorations, logos, and overlays on sports, fashion, and safety footwear. “We leverage our multi-year experience in polyurethane coating, offering all our technology to propose and produce the film best suited for various uses,” the manager explains. “With an in-house laboratory, we can study colors, grains, effects, and ad-hoc solutions for our clients, while also providing support in the application and use of these new materials. We have a wide range of textures and effects drawn from our collection, and we can propose a large variety of adhesives to ensure bonding with diverse technical fabrics, from fleece to Hydro-treated technical fabrics, from knits to softshells, and from membranes to meshes.”
QUALITY: AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT
Maximum attention has always been dedicated to the concept of comprehensive quality, another cornerstone of Giardini’s production. Organizational procedures and sophisticated technical instruments are seamlessly integrated; every production batch is systematically tested to verify its suitability for the intended use. Furthermore, the selection criteria for raw materials are rigorous, contributing to the achievement of a consistently high standard of quality over time.
Anna Laura Biscaldi, Giardini product & marketing manager
Anna Laura Biscaldi, Giardini product & marketing manager