Celebrating milestones

Since its opening in April 2006 in the province of Rovigo, the San Martino di Venezze facility has represented a strategic investment for Brianza Plastica.

It was established to meet the demand for high-performance fibreglass laminates within the commercial and recreational vehicle sector, where aesthetic quality, reliability and production continuity are essential.

Over the past two decades, the plant has continually evolved, thanks to the expertise of its workforce, close collaboration with customers and the company’s commitment to innovation.

Developed at the state-of-the-art plant, using a discontinuous process, Brianza Plastica’s fibreglas laminate, Elycold, was created to meet the needs of the commercial and recreational vehicle sectors and is now also used in public transport and tanker applications.

“Brianza Plastica was founded in 1962, initially producing cold-curing fibreglass laminates, which were the standard technology of that era,” explained Brianza Plastica Sales Executive and Board Member, Alberto Crippa.

“As the market evolved and demand increased, manual processes were replaced by production lines based on hot continuous technology. Until the early 2000s, our main markets were construction and greenhouses, and we remain market leaders in these areas today.

“However, we recognised the need to enter the segment of high-quality laminates for recreational vehicles and commercial transport, where continuous lamination processes often struggle to consistently meet the required quality standards.”

In 2004, an opportunity arose for Brianza Plastica to expand its production of laminates after a meeting with a manager having extensive experience in this specific type of production.

“By combining his expertise with our 40 years of industrial know-how in fibreglass manufacturing, we decided to develop a new product from the ground up. We selected the Polesine area for this, and in early 2006, the first square metre of Elycold laminate was produced and sold,” said Crippa.

Over the years, the plant has undergone several phases of development, steadily increasing its production capacity while introducing ever more advanced technologies and equipment; from the early years, marked by the launch of production lines and the fine-tuning of processes, to more recent developments in energy efficiency and the creation of a state-of-the-art research and development laboratory dedicated entirely to the product.

At the same time, Elycold has followed its own path of growth and transformation, which reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and quality.

Originally developed to meet the specific needs of the commercial and recreational vehicle sector, the product has evolved over time, expanding its range and applications while strengthening its presence in Italy and internationally.

In 2009, the opening of a new plant in Ostellato further expanded Brianza Plastica’s production capacity. This was followed, in the summer of 2016 – ten years after the opening of the first plant – by the inauguration of a second site at San Martino di Venezze, dedicated to the cold lamination process.

Elycold fibreglass laminates, manufactured entirely in Italy, are produced through a structured process with clearly defined stages. Production is supported by a dedicated research and development laboratory, which conducts rigorous chemical and physical testing of both raw materials and finished products, ensuring consistently high-quality standards over time.

“Initially, production was primarily aimed at Italian recreational vehicle manufacturers before expanding to the commercial vehicle sector,” said Crippa.

“Elycold’s success is first and foremost due to its aesthetic appeal, with the fibreglass virtually invisible, making it a natural alternative to aluminium, as well as its mechanical performance, versatility and reparability, which set it apart from other materials.

“It is precisely this combination of visual appeal, mechanical strength, durability, lightness and flexibility that makes Elycold a preferred solution for the walls of recreational vehicles, commercial vehicles, public transport vehicles and tankers.”

For Brianza Plastica, the 20th anniversary is not only a moment for celebration, but also an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable journey. Since its inception, Elycold has grown into a globally recognised brand, synonymous with quality in the world of vehicle outfitting.

“Celebrating these 20 years means recognising the value of the journey we have built over time, whilst already turning our thoughts and gaze towards the next milestone,” said Crippa.

“We are pleased with the decision we made in 2004 and with the results we have achieved, particularly the respect and esteem we have earned from customers in the sector.

“The most gratifying aspect for us is that, although our company has over 60 years of experience, we have only been operating in the recreational and commercial vehicle sector for 20 years. Yet we are now regarded on a par with long-established suppliers who have always been considered the benchmark.

“This is perhaps the achievement we value most, and one we aim to build on as we pursue our next goals. We aim to strive even harder to become the industry benchmark, just as we have done with our other products in the construction sector.”

Elycold is made from a combination of polyester resins and glass fibre. Over the years, this material has replaced aluminium in the production of refrigerated panels for commercial vehicles, camper vans, caravans and motorhomes, offering vehicle manufacturers excellent durability and UV resistance.

Elycold is available in both rolls and sheets, with thicknesses ranging from 1 to 3.6mm, ensuring great flexibility of use. It can be produced in widths of up to 3,400mm and lengths of up to 60 metres, enabling large surface coverage, optimised processing and installation, and a reduced number of joints.

Brianza Plastica’s success with its Elycold and its other products, such as the Elyplan GRP laminate, is another cause for celebration, with the company launching three new production sites with a total covered area of almost 30,000 square metres over the course of 20 years and creating about 80 new jobs while producing several million square metres of fibreglass laminates.

“These figures reflect the scale of our investment in terms of time, human resources and financial commitment to supporting the growth of the Elycold brand,” said Crippa.

The company has no plans to slow down. From 2026 to 2028, Brianza Plastica foresees significant developments in terms of industrial expansion, production technologies and energy efficiency.

For the commercial and recreational vehicle sectors, Elycold’s 20-year milestone is therefore not only a symbolic anniversary, but also a confirmation of an industrial journey built on specialisation, close attention to market needs and the ability to evolve in step with manufacturers’ requirements.