From the heart of Tuscany’s leather district, Italprogetti Spa continues to be a benchmark for industrial innovation in leather processing, water treatment and the food sector. Founded in 1977 from an idea by engineer Mario Serrini, the company revolutionized the industry with its cutting-edge technological solutions and constant attention to environmental impact. In a global context marked by uncertainty and slowdowns, Italprogetti reaffirms its leadership by investing in research, automation and digitalization. Founder and President Mario Serrini shared with us the company’s vision and the challenges of today’s market.
First of all, how did Italprogetti come about and how has it evolved over time?
Even as an engineering student in Pisa, I experimented with new solutions to replace traditional materials with more efficient technologies, such as plastic teeth in tanning drums. I was familiar with local workshops and often collaborated with them. One of these produced molds for plastic objects. The transmission gear of old drums was made of cast iron, while the teeth were wooden. I had the idea to create a mold to produce plastic teeth and replace the wood. It wasn’t a simple project, but together with a friend who was an electronic engineer, we decided to invest our savings to build the first mold. At first it was tough, tanners were reluctant to change, but over time they understood the benefits, and the production of plastic teeth took off. So, in 1977, we founded Italprogetti: there were just two of us. Over the years, the company evolved and grew, eventually revolutionizing the tanning sector with the polypropylene drum, which has become the global standard. From the very beginning, our mission has been to combine technical innovation with environmental responsibility.
How does sustainability drive your most recent projects?
A recent example of our green ethos is the Injection Drum, an innovative drum for retanning and dyeing that operates virtually water-free. It slashes water consumption by up to 90% thanks to a system of saturated steam and high- pressure nozzles. Unlike traditional drums where hides are immersed in a bath, here they’re treated in an atmosphere of saturated vapor. Chemicals and water are atomized and applied via high-pressure nozzles. The key advantages of this solution are the drastic reduction in water and chemical usage, resulting in a significantly lower environmental impact. This next-generation machinery is the culmination of years of research and experimentation. Transforming the initial idea into an industrial product was no simple feat; numerous prototypes were necessary before arriving at the definitive version. This internationally patented project represents a potentially revolutionary innovation for the tanning sector, and beyond. In fact, tests conducted in the textile industry have yielded surprising results, opening up exciting prospects in that field as well. And, just recently, we launched the Probios project.
What is it about?
Probios addresses the disposal of tanned leather scraps, a significant problem especially in the Florentine area, which has a high concentration of leather goods businesses generating an immense amount of tanned leather waste. In collaboration with Poteco, Italprogetti has developed a system to decontaminate and recover finished leather fibers that would otherwise be compromised by chlorine. Through untanning and the removal of contaminants, we recover clean leather fiber, reusing it in various ways. We also recycle and reuse components like chromium and chemical products, significantly reducing the waste that needs to be disposed of. We are working to industrialize and scale up this innovative technology, convinced that it represents a decisive step towards environmental sustainability, with significant benefits for the environment and the community. Among the ongoing projects is also Powertan, carried out in collaboration with BCN Spa Conceria, Chimont International, and the Polytechnic University of Milan, whose aim is to revolutionize tanning processes through the use of electric fields and ultrasound, reducing the consumption of water, energy, and chemical products. The goal is to equip every drum with tools that allow for the real-time measurement of the product’s environmental impact (LCA). We will continue to invest in projects of this kind to build a greener and more responsible future.
We are witnessing a period of global socio-political instability that the market is readily reflecting. What is your secret to remaining competitive today?
There is currently a strong downturn at the international level: the market has slowed down, the outlook appears uncertain and, what weighs most heavily, is the difficulty in fully understanding what is really happening. This applies to us as it does to the entire sector. For this reason, it is necessary to proceed with caution. In a moment like this, in my opinion, for small and medium-sized Italian industries, ideas, innovation, and customer focus are the key elements to ensure a certain stability. As far as we are concerned, following this line, we achieved satisfactory results last year. In a period of significant market decline, it is important for companies to structure themselves and proceed with clear objectives, given that investing today is even riskier: it means introducing very expensive innovative technologies, and it is crucial that the entrepreneur makes wise decisions, aware that innovation connected to energy saving and lower environmental impact is now essential. Our new products meet the criteria of the Industry 5.0 plan, offering entrepreneurs the possibility of benefiting from a tax credit of up to 45%. Although research costs are high, there are no alternatives for progress.
Which sectors are reacting best to the crisis?
Food and water purification remain relatively stable. The tanning industry, on the other hand, is suffering from a crisis, especially at the national level, although some signs of recovery can be seen. It is not yet solid enough to draw certainties from. The paper industry is also slowing down, like all energy- intensive businesses.
Forecasts for Italprogetti’s future strategies?
Innovation remains our cornerstone. The Injection Drum machines are being very well received, and digital transformation is progressing at a good pace. We are applying artificial intelligence to various systems, particularly in drying, with very promising results. The Powertan project, which combines electric fields and ultrasound in tanning processes, is also continuing with great interest. Our goal is clear: to seek ever-new solutions to remain competitive in an increasingly unstable and less predictable market. 2025 is shaping up to be another unstable year at the international level, but we remain focused on quality and innovation, which have always guided us.
Innovative ideas, customer focus and ecological transition as keys to resilience in market instability
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