Research in this field aims at new technological opportunities, which will improve the performance of this raw material that is already ideal for use in the food industry. Massimo Cristini will provide highlights in regard.
Not everyone knows it, but one of its most important features is biocompatibility, an essential property in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Thanks to its excellent resistance to wear and temperature, ceramic is the most suitable material for these sectors. Explaining these features is Massimo Cristini, CEO of the HT-Ceramgroup that, together with HTC Ceramics, produces advanced technical ceramics, and with Redco Ceramics industrial ceramic techniques. “Our products are used in different applications”, claims Cristini. “As regards the food sector, ceramics are used in beverage dispensers, in grinding elements, such as for pepper, salt and coffee for example, solving problems of wear and corrosion, but also in dosing syringes installed on filling machines, thus avoiding possible contamination of products.”
The Group’s growth in 2014 was significant, with an increase of 5 percent for Htc and 20 for Redco. “One of the key points of these results is in research. The Group invests an average of 5% in this regard. This year, in particular, together with a new company, we have developed a product that revolutionises the agricultural market. We have patented a system called Mjt, Mix Just in Time, for the online mixing of plant protection products and solid and liquid fertilizers. There is no dispersion of formulations in the water of the tank and therefore no residue mixture with the possibility to pass directly from one crop to another and possible circulation on the road.
It also eliminates compatibility problems of the formulations used in the mixture, thus avoiding flocking, deposits and drops in efficacy. It allows stopping and resuming the application as needed without problems related to the presence of formulations. Moreover, it limits operator contamination risks by excluding the formulation dosage phase using clean water in the tank. Finally, there are two ceramic discs inside these atomizers that mix the water and the additive only in the moment of need. This will guarantee a lower use of the product meaning a greater preservation of the environment and lower costs.”
In the near future, and in collaboration with a leading company in the energy sector, the group led by Cristini will develop new materials for the manufacturing of ceramics that will have the aim of improving their performance, while another project will provide for the manufacturing of products for the filtration world.
Lombardy dossier
INNOVATION – INTERDISCIPLINARITY – INTERACTIVITY
