A new Italian network of companies, Ita Polymers, has entered the plastics market. The project brings together eight companies, Celloplast, Diap, GF Plast, Greenchemicals, Mife, Pick Up, Polichem and Seta Polymers, which are jointly developing an offering that includes plastic additives, flame retardants, masterbatches, compounds, thermoplastic elastomers and plastic waste recycling. As the participants in the initiative emphasise, this is not a capital combination or a formal merger, but a cooperation model based on synergy of competencies. Each company retains its own identity, know-how and specialisation, while operating under a shared brand intended to strengthen its presence in domestic and international markets. Together, the companies handle more than 50 thousand tonnes of compounds, 15 thousand tonnes of masterbatches and 5 thousand tonnes of powders and compacts, generating turnover exceeding EUR 100 million.
Micaela Lorenzi, CEO of Greenchemicals and Polichem, explains: "We had had the idea of creating a network of companies for some time, partly because we already had close relationships with its members, and it was a matter of giving these collaborations continuity and proper structure." She also adds: "Creating a network, while each entity retains its identity, allows us to present ourselves domestically and internationally as one brand, capable of responding effectively to the needs of manufacturers in the sector. Through cooperation and the combination of different specialisations, we will be able to provide rapid, tailor-made solutions." Paola Ottaviani, COO of Diap, in turn indicates that Ita Polymers opens up opportunities to cooperate on innovative projects and to seek new market outlets abroad. The project also involves Giancarlo D’Ottavio, associated with the Italian polyamide compound segment, who through Celloplast contributes expertise in thermoplastic elastomers, impact modifiers and compatibilisers for high-performance compounds.
Cooperation model without loss of independence
According to the network’s representatives, its premise is to combine the quality characteristic of smaller, often family-owned enterprises with the responsiveness and breadth of offer associated with a larger, structured organisation. Direct contact with the customer, long-term business relationships, technical support and flexibility in developing application-specific solutions are to remain the basis of each participant’s operations. The shared brand, in turn, is intended to make it possible to offer a broader product portfolio, shorter response times thanks to knowledge sharing, and quality supported by the work of the individual companies’ research and development laboratories.
Lorenzo Riello, CEO of Seta Polymers, comments: "The heart of Italian manufacturing consists primarily of small companies, often family-owned. This translates into consistently high product quality and a very good level of customer service. However, in the context of international competition, this business model has certain limitations. The Ita Polymers business network is a response to this issue, combining the strengths of a large team with the advantages of a small company." Giancarlo D’Ottavio adds: "Sustainability also means the ability to combine expertise and act together in response to the challenges of the future. I believe that Ita Polymers has a significant opportunity in this respect."
Product range and supply forms
Ita Polymers declares a broad offering for plastics processing. It includes plastic additives, halogen-free and halogenated flame retardants, additive and colour masterbatches, technical compounds, recycled compounds, recycled polymers, thermoplastic and functionalised polymers, as well as compatibilisers and impact modifiers. This scope is intended to enable the servicing of diverse technological needs across many application segments.
The offering also includes the main physical forms used in the plastics industry, including powders, masterbatches, granules, liquids and compacts. According to the network’s description, this diversity is important not only commercially but also technologically, because it responds to the requirements of precise processing, optimisation of additive dispersion in the polymer matrix, and extrusion and moulding processes. This enables the network to address demand from sectors ranging from packaging and automotive to construction and electronics.
Marco Giacomini, CEO of Pick Up, comments: "Joining the Ita Polymers business network represents a strategic step forward, an alliance with eight leading companies that strengthens competencies, innovation and competitive strength, turning cooperation into a concrete driver of growth and new market opportunities." Michele Preto Martini, CEO of Mife, states: "We chose to join Ita Polymers because we strongly believe that the most important results stem from bringing together competent people, solid companies and mutually enriching visions. A network can offer something that an individual entity cannot achieve with the same impact, the opportunity to transform each participant’s individual value into a shared, broader and stronger driving force."
Debut at Plast 2026
One of the network’s first joint appearances is to be at Plast 2026 in Milan, taking place on 9–12 June. Andrea Fontana, CEO of GF Plast, explains the participation in the project as follows: "GF Plast decided to join the network because it recognises its added value. Sharing information and market strategies, as well as participating in international trade fairs, strengthens us all and places us in a more effective strategic position than we would have had operating separately. We are pleased to be part of this new venture and look forward to presenting ourselves together at Plast 2026."
The first opportunity to meet Ita Polymers directly is to be the shared stand with Greenchemicals in Hall 9, stand B100–B104. As stated, the space has been designed not only as an exhibition area but also as a meeting zone for current and potential customers, intended for discussions about specific solutions. The stand structure is to use recycled materials, reflecting the eight companies’ shared approach to sustainability. The trade fair presence is also to include hydroponic towers with herbs and vegetables, which after the event will be transferred to the companies’ premises, as well as seedlings intended for visitors.
According to the project’s assumptions, Ita Polymers is to position itself as a reference point for customers seeking additives, masterbatches and compounds without quantity or lead time constraints, with solutions developed and tested in-house. Information and contact details for the network have been made available at www.ita-polymers.it.
The circular economy supported by the network
