Innovation Week EPS 2026: three days to describe the future of the plastic injection molding

The message shared during Innovation Week was clear: the future of the plastics industry depends on the ability to innovate, collaborate and create shared value among companies, institutions, universities and the local community.

An event that brought together vision, technology and people

EPS concluded the first edition of its Innovation Week, three days — from May 27 to 29, 2026 — dedicated to innovation, collaboration and shared value across the entire plastics processing supply chain. The event involved institutions, companies, universities and the territory.

Opening of the first edition of Innovation Week

The first edition of EPS Innovation Week opened with an important institutional moment. The inauguration on May 27 welcomed key representatives from Italy and abroad.

Michelangelo Agrusti, Confindustria Alto Adriatico, highlighted the strategic role of innovation for industrial competitiveness. A message echoed by MEP Alessandro Ciriani, who emphasized how initiatives like this strengthen the Italian manufacturing system.

Universities, companies and the territory: a growing ecosystem

Prof. Francesco Raggiotto, University of Udine, underlined the importance of collaboration between academia and industry to develop new skills and respond to market needs. Franco Scolari,  Polo tecnologico Alto Adriatico,  shared the same view, stressing the strategic value of innovation for business growth. Marco Olivotto,LEF, spoke about the pioneering challenges behind this approach to innovation.

Technologies, materials and applications that are transforming plastics

Innovation Week featured technical insights and collaborative design sessions covering the full process: from R&D and co-design to injection molding of advanced plastics.

EPS presented innovative, high‑performance solutions that are reshaping the sector:

• advanced materials combining lightness with metal‑like aesthetics

• sustainable polymers and next‑generation antibacterial solutions

• evolved aesthetic finishes for polymers

• 3D printing systems integrating prototyping and production

This journey showed how shared innovation — collaboration among partners with different expertise — is key to developing integrated solutions from design to production. CEO Lorena Zambon summarized it clearly: “Innovation Week was much more than a technical event: it was a place where visions, skills and people came together to create new opportunities for the entire supply chain.”

Production processes, digitalization and plant tours

Guided tours of EPS facilities allowed participants to explore processes, technologies and applications related to mold making, injection molding and the production of components for the horeca sector.

Future Generation: innovation meets schools

The closing day, May 29, was dedicated to students, teachers and local schools. An experiential path helped young people understand how a plastic component is created and how each technical choice affects the final result.

The Mayor of Chions, Laura Doro — present at both the inauguration and the youth day — highlighted the strong connection between EPS and the local community, stressing the importance of building bridges between education and the world of work. 

 

EPS opens its doors to children: a Saturday dedicated to sustainability

On June 6, EPS continued Innovation Week with a special initiative for employees’ children, introducing them to durable plastics, recycling and the circular economy.

Twenty children, aged 2 to 14, enjoyed an educational experience with games, small experiments and hands‑on demonstrations. They explored molds, granules and injection presses, discovering how plastic objects are made and how materials can be recovered and transformed. As CEO Lorena Zambon explained: “Children are the protagonists of tomorrow: investing in their awareness means building a more responsible and sustainable future.”

Innovation Week: building connections and shaping the future

Innovation Week brought together more than 90 people from companies, institutions and universities, becoming a place where ideas and visions turned into new opportunities.

EPS reaffirms its commitment to promoting a culture of innovation and sustainability, involving not only professionals, institutions and partners, but also the next generations.