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Interview with Luca Formentini

Luca Formentini
Luca Formentini
Director
Loris Bellini S.r.l.
Loris Bellini S.r.l.

Pulsar is our revolutionary system for yarn and tops dyeing
Loris Bellini was founded in 1949 and it is specialised in designing and manufacturing of complete plants for the dyeing and drying of yarn. In over 70 years of activity, the company has substantially contributed to the growth of its own sector by introducing several industrial innovations with great technological impact. In an interview with Fibre2Fashion, Director Luca Formentini talks about recent developments in yarn dyeing and participation in ITMA 2023.

How has the yarn dyeing industry evolved over the past decade, and where do you see it going in the future?

The yarn dyeing industry has undergone several changes over the past decade, driven by various factors such as technological advancements, changing consumer preferences and environmental concerns.
In recent years, there has been a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, and the yarn dyeing industry has responded by adopting more sustainable practices. 
The industry has seen an increase in demand for specialised yarns, such as organic, recycled, and high-performance yarns. 
The trend towards sustainable practices is likely to continue, with a greater emphasis on reducing water usage, eliminating hazardous chemicals and adopting circular economy principles.
 

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing the yarn dyeing industry today?

One of the biggest challenges facing the yarn dyeing industry is achieving sustainability. Yarn dyeing requires a lot of water, energy, and chemicals, which can have a negative impact on the environment. To address this challenge, yarn dyeing companies need to adopt sustainable practices, such as using natural dyes, reducing water usage and minimising waste.

What role do you see automation and artificial intelligence playing in the future of yarn dyeing?

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are already playing a significant role in the yarn dyeing industry and this trend is expected to continue in the future. 
In my opinion, automation and AI could significantly impact yarn dyeing regarding quality control, production efficiency, predictive maintenance, supply chain optimisation and sustainability. Each one of these factors is extremely important for the future of the yarn dyeing industry and this is where Loris Bellini is heading for the next coming years.

What are the main products and services that Loris Bellini offers today?

Loris Bellini can offer a wide range of products for the dyeing and drying of yarn (packages or hanks), loose fibre, tops, tow and warp beams. We also have a dedicated machine for scouring and bleaching flax sliver on cops. 
Pulsar yarn dyeing machine is our most advanced system which guarantees enormous savings of electric energy, water and steam. Pulsar is our greatest technological achievement for a more sustainable future. 

How have you adapted to changing market trends and customer demands over the years?

To stay ahead of changing market trends and customer demands, we have invested in market research and customer engagement initiatives. This includes conducting surveys and focus groups to better understand customer preferences and using social media and other digital channels to engage with customers and gather feedback, which has always been a fundamental element for our internal growth over the years.

How do you stay ahead of the competition in the global market?

Staying ahead of the competition in the global textile market requires a combination of factors, including innovation, quality and customer service. Loris Bellini is very much committed to each one of these three factors and that is exactly what our customers can experience once they purchase one of our products.

Tell us about any recent developments or advancements in Loris Bellini’s technology?

Pulsar is our revolutionary system for yarn and tops dyeing that required approximately 4 years of intense R&D before it was ready for a large-scale production. 
Thanks to its worldwide patented circulation system, which is truly innovative in this field, Pulsar can achieve an extraordinary reduction of utility consumptions, such as 60 per cent less electric energy, 30 per cent less water and nearly 20 per cent less steam. 
There are over 200 Pulsar machines installed worldwide at the moment and we are proud to believe they can all give a significant cut to CO2 emissions if compared to standard machines.

What is the company’s vision for the future of the yarn dyeing and drying industry?

Our vision for the future of the yarn dyeing and drying industry is focused on sustainable and efficient production processes that minimise environmental impact, while also meeting evolving customer demands and preferences.

Are there any exciting projects or initiatives that Loris Bellini is currently working on?

Our R&D department never stops working on new ideas. We mainly concentrate on the optimisation of existing technology, and this usually comes from the direct feedback we receive from our valued customers. 
New technology is in development, too. I will not anticipate too much over this at the moment, but the treatment of recycled fibres is definitely one fascinating aspect we clearly see in our future.

How important is sustainability in the yarn dyeing industry, and what steps is Loris Bellini taking to address environmental concerns?

Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the yarn dyeing industry, as the textile industry as a whole is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Yarn dyeing is a particularly resource-intensive and environmentally impactful process, as it requires large amounts of water, energy and chemicals.
There are several reasons why sustainability is important in the yarn dyeing industry and some of them are environmental impact, social responsibility, consumer demand and cost savings. 
Overall, sustainability is a critical issue for the yarn dyeing industry, and companies that prioritise sustainability are likely to be more competitive in the long run, both from a financial and a reputational perspective.
With the introduction of our new Pulsar yarn and tops dyeing machine, which happened almost 10 years ago, Loris Bellini gave a substantial cut to the consumption of electric energy and water, thus placing our company amongst those that actively believe in a sustainable future.

What new machinery and technologies is Loris Bellini going to showcase at ITMA 2023 in Milan?

Textile manufacturers can visit our booth, which is located in Hall H11, Stand B207. 
We decided to change our booth format this year and it will be different than what we always considered for the past ITMA editions. 
Our Pulsar yarn dyeing machine will be positioned right in the middle of our booth to emphasise its presence. We will be glad to explain this machine in detail and make all visitors acknowledge about its advanced technological characteristics.
Published on: 08/06/2023

DISCLAIMER: All views and opinions expressed in this column are solely of the interviewee, and they do not reflect in any way the opinion of Fibre2Fashion.com.

This interview was first published in the Jun 2023 edition of the print magazine