At the upcoming September edition of Simac Tan ning Tech in Milan, Italprogetti, based in San Romano (Pisa), will introduce groundbreaking machinery and systems that promise to redefine current industry standards. Among the highly anticipated reveals are significant enhancements to their “Injection drum.”
Italprogetti Spa is poised to unveil a suite of innovations at the September Simac Tanning Tech, with several destined to mark pivotal shifts in the market. “In Milan,” explains Engineer Mario Serrini, the group’s president and founder, “we’ll be presenting machines and systems engineered to transform existing standards.” The group itself boasts a comprehensive specialization, encompassing the design and production of drums and systems for leather manufacturing, as well as machinery for treating wastewater, sludge, and gases across the leather, paper, and broader industrial sectors. Their expertise also extends to the food industry, particularly in the filtration of extra virgin olive oil. Serrini highlights a key advancement: “We’ve successfully industrialized the ‘Injection drum’ prototype, which we initially previewed in 2024. This year, we’ll be showcasing tangible results: incredibly high-quality leathers that have been re-tanned and dyed with a remarkable reduction of over 50% in water and chemical consumption.” “At the fair, we’ll also introduce our new drying and conditioning systems,” Serrini adds. “These systems feature continuous measurement of leather weight variation throughout the cycle, providing real-time insights into moisture content. This capability, combined with artificial intelligence, allows for comprehensive process management. The benefits are extraordinary, impacting product quality, surface yield, and significantly reducing energy consumption.” Italprogetti isn’t stopping there. “We’re collaborating with Politecnico di Milano on novel tanning and re-tanning systems that leverage electric fields and ultrasounds. This research aims to further enhance quality while simultaneously decreasing water and chemical usage,” Serrini reveals. Next year marks a significant milestone for Italprogetti: half a century in business, since its founding in 1976. “That same year,” Eng. Serrini points out, “the Merli Law was enacted, officially integrating environmental concerns into everyday life. For nearly 50 years, our company has consistently approached its work with a focus on innovative systems and technical solutions designed to advance the process. Every machine we produce is crafted with a keen eye on minimizing environmental impact and energy consumption. Throughout this long journey, our core direction has remained unwavering: process evolution aimed at improving working conditions, reducing environmental impact, and, crucially, achieving tangible energy savings.” Expectations are high for the upcoming Milan exhibition. “Simac Tanning Tech remains a global benchmark,” Serrini affirms. “It’s crucial that we do everything possible to maintain its standing as a platform for showcasing Italian innovation to the world. Beyond internet connections and calls, personal interaction remains paramount. We’ve invited many clients from around the globe to meet us at our stand.” Serrini also addresses the broader industry context: “Everyone talks about sustainability, but unfortunately, in many cases, the expertise in the field doesn’t truly match the scale of the problem. In Europe, untenable regulations have been introduced concerning leather traceability and management. UNIC has stepped in, even involving the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to try and rectify these truly unjustified regulatory excesses. We sincerely hope for at least a partial revision of these genuinely absurd regulations; otherwise, it presents a significant challenge.” Despite Italprogetti’s continued growth, the economic climate offers less reassurance. “Rarely in the last 50 years,” the president concludes, “have I witnessed such complicated situations. While we’ve introduced numerous innovations and feel confident, it will take time for the market to rebound, as it’s currently stalled. We operate across multiple sectors—in addition to tanning, we work with the food industry, our purification division, and the paper sector. I’m not optimistic about the immediate future, but we’re hopeful for a positive evolution and are already looking towards the second half of 2026.”
