NEW OPENING OF ICG RENAISSCIENCE HUB: INNOVATION IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BY IRIS CERAMICA GROUP

On Friday 21st June, the innovative and interdisciplinary research and development centre, unique in its sector, ICG RenaisScience Hub, was inaugurated in Castellarano. The opening was attended by the Councillor for Economic Development and Green Economy of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Vincenzo Colla; the Mayor of Castellarano, Giorgio Zanni; Federica Minozzi, CEO of Iris Ceramica Group; Prof. Stefano Maffei from the Design Department of the Polytechnic of Milan; and Claudio Bizzaglia, Director of Engineering and Project Management of Iris Ceramica Group.

The Hub focuses on the re-engineering of ceramics to improve the interaction between man and the environment, applying science to ceramics to develop new projects and solutions. ICG RenaisScience Hub, whose name reflects its intention to promote a renaissance of ceramics through scientific research, approaches the material from an innovative perspective, going beyond the traditional view.

In fact, ceramics are treated as an intelligent material, going beyond the concept of inert material or finished product. This approach opens the way to technological interpretations hitherto unexplored. In collaboration with the Design Department of the Polytechnic of Milan, the Hub will research the new standards of Industry 5.0, known as the “collaborative industry”. Its aim is to develop integrated solutions for ceramics, with particular attention to the logistics and packaging system.

ICG RenaisScience promotes a culture of innovation based on the hybridisation of practices and knowledge applied to the ceramic world, with the aim of creating solutions that improve people’s quality of life and reduce environmental impact. Due to its pioneering nature, access to the Hub is reserved for a multidisciplinary team of experts within the company, known as the Iris Ceramica Group Solutions Engineers, together with a group of researchers from Polifactory, the Makerspace of the Polytechnic of Milan. A space where collaboration is encouraged with research centres, companies and professionals from various sectors and disciplines, such as design, engineering and logistics.

With over 800 m², the centre is organised into four different research areas: training and workshops, 3D printing and digital and electronic design, digital manufacturing and production, and an industrial testing laboratory.

The ICG RenaisScience Hub represents a true revolution in the ceramic sector, redefining the boundaries of innovation by integrating digital, electronic and advanced production technologies. The close collaboration between Iris Ceramica Group and the Design Department of the Polytechnic of Milan is essential to drive innovation and achieve ever more ambitious results.