Tecnogi promotes a true circular economy and develops an innovative system for recycling production waste to create new sustainable materials.
In the fashion industry, whose key words have become innovation and sustainability, the Tecnogi company stands out for its extraordinary progress in the field of materials for toecaps and counters for footwear, as well as reinforcements for footwear and leather goods. Founded by the Giardini family in 1979, the company has made great strides in pursuing a vision of sustainability through the implementation of innovative practices and an eco-friendly approach. In this exclusive interview, Tecnogi CEO Gianni Zanetti explained the two major innovations of the year and discussed their impact on the industry. “All the innovations we have introduced focus on the concept of sustainability,” said Zanetti. “We were able to let our ideas become concrete, thanks to our collaboration with important brands in the sector. We have developed practical mechanisms based on the circular economy, providing our clients with materials to reinforce bags that, once used, generate waste. We have committed to collecting these discarded reinforcements, paying for their transport and asking our clients to sort them carefully. These discards then return to the company, where they are shredded and re-granulated through a process we have developed. In this way, the waste again acquires value as a raw material.” According to Zanetti, this initiative is an important step towards a green approach in the industry. “This is one of the foundations of our vision of sustainability,” he emphasized. “It is about concrete actions that can be seen and touched, not just mere ideas. We have approached everyone involved in the process to ensure the circularity and success of this initiative. I cannot mention the names of the brands because of privacy policies, but I can say that we are collaborating with international luxury brands. We are reaching very high standards and we are getting very important positive feedback.” The company not only focuses on the sustainability of the materials used, but has also developed an innovative production process. Zanetti explained that recycled materials are mixed with waste generated internally by the company. “In the course of the manufacturing process, we also generate waste,” Zanetti said. “However, we are able to produce materials that contain more than 20% recycled material, thanks to this circular economy process. We are certified according to GRS standards and can therefore produce GRS materials that fully meet the circularity criteria. We have designed an innovative machine and process to return these materials to their original form, giving them a status as a raw material.” The path to the implementation of these innovations was not without its challenges. Zanetti admitted to encountering obstacles along the way, but was confident about the success of the project. “We started with the first experiments to setup the materials, developing this new plant seven years ago, when sustainability was not yet a central issue in our industry,” said Zanetti. “This year, we finally achieved full operation and the success we had hoped for. It has been seven years of hard work, during which we have constantly fine-tuned our process.” In addition to this great innovation, TecnogI has also recently launched a new product, as the CEO explains: “It is called HMS film, which is a high-quality material that can couple two very different and very expensive items. This material is particularly suitable for the fashion and luxury sector, as brands often want to combine high-quality fabrics with different inserts. HMS film is made from our own polyurethane-based polymer blend and is available in different grammages, from 50 to 250 grams. Our HMS film has been fully praised by the market and we keep on being appointed as a leader in the production of high-quality materials. We do not have a dominant market share, but we certainly have an almost 100 per cent share of the market when it comes to difficult problem solving, especially those related to expensive materials. This is because HMS film guarantees perfect coupling without waste.” The combination of innovation and sustainability has become increasingly important in the fashion industry, as consumers demand products that are both stylish and environmentally friendly. Companies like Tecnogi are proving that it is possible to combine both aspects, offering high-quality materials that meet the needs of modern consumers without compromising the well-being of the planet. With its unceasing commitment to innovation and sustainability, Tecnogi is positioning itself as a leader in the footwear and leather goods sector, inspiring other companies to follow their example and choose more sustainable solutions.
Gianni Zanetti, CEO di Tecnogi
