At Simac Tanning Tech, the innovative start-up founded in 2019 presented its project for a new machine designed for water- based top coat and fixative applications on automotive leather
“For this edition of the Milan Fair, we haven’t presented anything truly new; it’s not the right time. However, we are developing a project for a new machine, called the J2, which we plan to launch in the first half of 2026.” This was the announcement made to us at Simac Tanning Tech by the senior management of Rotacoat, an innovative start-up founded in 2019. Headquartered in Santa Croce sull’Arno with a service center in Montebello Vicentino, the company specializes in producing new- concept roller finishing machines.
“We are still in the project phase,” clarified Commercial Director Massimo Valente. “The prototype has already undergone trials at a few companies, confirming its satisfactory performance. Without getting into excessive detail, I can say it will be a machine for applying fixatives to leather for the automotive industry. The project is still being finalized; we are working on the details. The idea originated from a request by one of our customers, and subsequently, other requests have come in. We can certainly say there is definite interest building.”
“At the Rotacoat booth, as in previous years,” he adds, “the J1 3400 roller coating machine was on display, representing the company’s flagship model. Early 2020 saw the official debut of the latest- generation J1 2400 model, fully automated and with all functions motorized and programmable. We are talking about a top-of-the-range machine, perfected over time based on market demands. It has a 3,400 mm useful working width, making it suitable for whole hides, but it’s also used for half-hides and smaller skins, such as calf, handling up to four pieces on the belt. We have sold many, nearly 120 in five years, even accounting for the year lost to the pandemic. It is a highly reliable, versatile machine that has been very well-received by the market.” “This model is currently used in the production units of large industries and multinationals, as well as by third-party contractors, chemical laboratories, and small finishing operations. The majority of sales have been made abroad. In Italy, the furniture and auto sectors are struggling; the Santa Croce fashion district is also suffering. Abroad, we operate in North America, parts of South America, Europe, and Asia. The latter continent is no longer just China, but also Japan, Thailand, and India. Some markets remain complicated due to tariffs and local investment requirements, but we are ready to engage as soon as the conditions are right.”
“The automotive sector is in crisis,” Valente concludes. “First, there was expansion, then a slowdown, and now contraction. Companies are no longer buying three machines; they want a single one that does the work of all of them. This is why more modern, versatile, and productive models are needed. Today, batches are small and volumes are low, so you need a machine that can cover multiple processes, including those that previously required different equipment. When it comes to fixatives, the application must be extremely precise; there is no margin for error. As a company, we are also developing this versatility in our R&D. Over the years, roller technology has absorbed many processes that were once done differently. Today, with one roller machine, we can completely finish various articles, and the new J2 will round out the range. While it will be specifically dedicated to the auto sector, it can also be used efficiently in the furniture, footwear, and leather goods worlds. We are confident, as we believe this will remain a long-term cornerstone of our product range.”