Innovation is now one of the main competitive factors in the manufacturing industry. With this awareness, the LATI Innovation Day was created, an event dedicated to sharing experiences, technologies, and ideas throughout the thermoplastic materials transformation supply chain — from the compound manufacturer to the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer).
The meeting, held on April 13, 2016, aimed to create a direct point of contact between designers, processors, and end users, to promote a bidirectional flow of knowledge and stimulate new technological collaborations.
An Event Dedicated to Industrial Collaboration
The Supply Chain as an Innovation Ecosystem
LATI has interpreted its role as a strategic hub between different supply chain entities, promoting a cross-cutting innovation culture.
The company, naturally positioned between those who design and those who use materials, has acted as a technical dialogue facilitator, creating an opportunity to discuss:
- new design requirements;
- emerging regulations in materials;
- economic and technological macro-trends.
From this perspective came the decision to involve selected customers — including end users, molders, and designers — offering them a dedicated showcase to present solutions and projects of technical and innovative value.
Topics and Projects Presented
During the day, speakers illustrated real development cases where complex design challenges were addressed, solved through high-performance technical materials, functional design, and advanced production processes.
The presentations covered a wide range of topics:
| Thematic Area | Application Examples |
| Metal Replacement | Replacement of metals with high mechanical performance structural compounds |
| Function Integration | Reduction of component count and assembly simplification |
| MuCell® Technology | Surface finish improvement and weight reduction |
| Mold Optimization | Advanced layouts to reduce cycle times and waste |
| Molding Automation | Robotic systems for advanced production |
| 3D-MID Technology | Integration of electronic circuits in plastic parts |
| 3D Printing and Functional Filaments | Prototyping and final components with conductive or structural technical materials |
Innovation and Productivity: a Strategic Partnership
Every project presented during LATI Innovation Day shared the common goal of increasing industrial productivity, understood as the ability to:
- optimally use resources (equipment, capital, time);
- increase product quality;
- reduce waste and process inefficiencies.
Focus was also placed on integrated design, where materials, design, and process are developed synergistically to achieve high-performance and sustainable solutions.
A Starting Point for a Shared Innovation Network
The success of the first edition confirmed the need to create structured exchange opportunities between key supply chain players.
The LATI Innovation Day 2016 has thus become a permanent ideas laboratory, where companies, designers, and researchers can discuss innovative materials, transformation processes, and new application technologies.
The strong response from participants has laid the foundation for subsequent editions, destined to further consolidate the network of expertise and strengthen collaboration between various industry segments.
LATI Innovation Day: Industrial Application Examples
| Sector | Innovation Introduced | Main Benefit |
| Railway | EN45545 compliant flame-retardant compounds | Safety and lightweight |
| Automotive | Metal replacement with structural engineering polymers | Weight and cost reduction |
| Electronics | Thermally and electrically conductive materials | Controlled thermal dissipation |
| Industrial Design | Transparent compounds for light diffusion | Aesthetics and functionality |
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about LATI Innovation Day
- What is LATI Innovation Day?
It is a technical event dedicated to sharing experiences and innovative solutions among manufacturers, designers, and users of thermoplastic materials. - Who can participate?
The initiative is open to industrial customers, designers, processors, and OEMs interested in technical collaborations and new project development. - What topics are covered?
Metal replacement, MuCell® technologies, functional integration, molding automation, 3D-MID, and innovative materials for advanced applications.
Conclusion
The LATI Innovation Day represents a model of industrial open innovation, capable of connecting different skills and technologies with the aim of accelerating the transition towards a more efficient and sustainable industry.
💡 Would you like to participate in future editions or propose your technical project?
Contact LATI to join the network of companies that are redefining the future of thermoplastic compounds and advanced industrial applications.
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