On June 11, we kick off the first session of the Polymer Additives Academy, a day dedicated to innovation, research, and the latest trends in the world of polymer additives.
📍 Lugano – Department of Innovative Technologies, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI)
🕒 10:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
🧪 For those joining us in person, the event will continue until around 4:00 p.m. with a special visit to the laboratories.
This first workshop will open the floor to expert insights on the present and future of plastics, with a focus on sustainability, cutting-edge additives, and advanced materials.
Whether you’re a professional or a student, it’s an exciting opportunity to explore how plastic trends are evolving and how research is shaping the next generation of solutions.
Attendees visiting in person will have the chance to explore the SUPSI labs, located within the Department of Innovative Technologies. These labs are part of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Technology (MEMTi) and are specifically designed for plastic processing and material characterization, a hands-on experience where education meets technology and applied research.
FULL PROGRAMME AND SPEAKERS
10:15 a.m – Welcome and introduction
10:30 a.m.
Inside the polymers timeline
Prof. Lidia Castoldi – Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Energia, Laboratory of Catalysis and Catalytic Processes
BIO
Lidia Castoldi is Associate Professor at Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano working in the Laboratory of catalysis and catalytic processes.
She had a Master degree in Industrial Chemistry, Post-Degree Master in Polymers Science School, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering cum laude.
Her scientific activities can be framed in the branch of heterogeneous catalytic processes, especially relating to environmental protection (NOx emission control and reduction, after-treatment devices for NOx and soot removal). Moreover, her research activity is devoted to hydrogen production from fossil (and renewable) fuels (i.e. turquoise H2 production), advanced materials for CO2 capture and conversion (i.e. methanation reaction, fishery waste as a secondary raw material), advanced materials for catalytic decomposition of liquid monopropellant for space applications, zeolite-based membrane for selective separation of liquid mixture.
11:15 a.m.
Global plastics trends
Prof. Andrea Castrovinci – University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland – SUPSI, Department of Innovative Technologies
BIO
Andrea Castrovinci is a Professor of Polymeric Materials at SUPSI. He earned his PhD in Material Science and Technology from the Polytechnic University of Turin. His research focuses on polymeric materials and nanometric coatings with properties like flame retardancy and electrical conductivity. Since joining SUPSI in 2006, he has advanced research and education in polymer science. He also teaches several chemistry and material sciences courses. Additionally, he is the co-founder of three start-ups, leveraging his research work.
11:45 a.m
Stabilization of polymers: state of the art and trends
Roberto Todesco, Senior Technical Specialist Additives – RTV consulting
BIO
Roberto V. Todesco obtained his Master Degree at the University of Ghent (Belgium) in 1975, followed in 1981 by a PhD at the Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) with a doctoral thesis on “ The Photo Behaviour of bi-chromophores” and finalized his research work with a postdoc on “The Photo Behaviour of Polymers” at the Radiation Laboratory (University of Notre Dame/South Bend in Indiana (USA).
Subsequently, Roberto worked for 2 years at DSM (the Netherlands) in the “Additives for Polymer Group”, dealing with the stabilization of polymers (PO and Engineering Plastics) and joined Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Basel/Switzerland) in 1988, taking care of the stabilization (process, thermal and light stability) of polymers as resp. technical service engineer, head of analytics and finally as WW head of the application laboratories. In 2004 , Roberto joined Sabo International (Basel/Switzerland) as Technical Director, being responsible for all technical aspects of stabilizers and surfactants (antistats, antifogs and dispersing agents) produced at Sabo SPA (Levate/Italy). Since 2016, Roberto started his own consulting company RVT Consulting (Allschwil/Switzerland) in the field of additives for polymers
12:30-01:30 p.m. – LUNCH
01:30 p.m
Recycling of flame retardant plastic products
Micaela Lorenzi, CEO di Greenchemicals
BIO
Micaela Lorenzi studied Industrial Chemistry in Milan and she is specialized in macromolecules, especially in radical polymerization.
She has been working for more than 15 years with flame retardants and since 2010 she is CEO and co-owner of Greenchemicals SRL, an Italian company strongly focused on studying and producing FR formulations and plastic additives (antioxidants, UV absorber, nucleant, stabilizer, etc). She worked for Great Lakes, US additives supplier, and thanks to the network she created, today she cooperates with all major brominated and halogen free flame retardants producers.
Micaela Lorenzi has patented a HBCD free solution, adapting an existing technology created for polypropylene to polystyrene. She has also a patent related to dosing systems. She focused on flame retardants, which are solid at room temperature, and proposed the market to dose them at liquid physical state. She has patented an energy saving and fast system suitable for reducing high poisoned PET scraps into highly clean monomers. She is actively working for obtaining halogen free flame retardants linked to polymers, through reactive extrusion process. She obtained innovative flame retardant linked to PET base, suitable for polyurethane, PET fibre. Application in PET and PA for E&E is under development.
02:15 p.m.
The twin screw extruder for compounding
Massimo Ricci, Expert Sales Manager – KraussMaffei Extrusion
BIO
Massimo Ricci is Expert Sales Manager for Italy at KraussMaffei Extrusion, a leading and pioneering company in extrusion technology for plastics. With studies in electrical engineering, he has built a solid career in companies specializing in the design and manufacture of machines and production lines for plastic processing.
He began his career as an electrical designer and software developer, progressively transitioning into more commercial roles where he combined his technical expertise with strong skills in sales and customer relationship management. With his technical background, extensive industry experience, and passion for the sector, Massimo is able to fully understand customer needs and provide tailored, high-value solutions.
03:00 p.m – Visit at the SUPSI’s laboratories (end of the day for the online classes)
👉 THIS IS THE FIRST OF FOUR ACADEMY DAYS, DISCOVER THE FULL PROGRAMME HERE!
