Fainplast keeps on pursuing research in a sustainable key. But the most urgent issue concerns the optimization of the supply chain to meet demand
“We are here, finally in person, this is the most important news to date,” these are the words said at Simac by Vladimiro Fratini, technical and commercial director of Fainplast, a Marche-based company specialized in the manufacture of compounds (granular plastic material) for different production sectors, from electric cables to footwear. “We are very happy to attend the fair, it was time to go back to live relationships and to speak about the demands of the market. There is no lack of work, but the most difficult problem to tackle, common to the entire rubber and plastic industry, is that related to the procurement and costs of raw materials,” continues Fratini. “We can say that this year we have been busier in searching basic materials than in product development. There is a very strong demand, but supply is scarce.”
Despite the crisis derived from the pandemic, the company based in Ascoli Piceno does not seem to have suffered from the shortage of orders: “In 2021, we recorded a 10% increase in sales in terms of quantity compared to last year and 2019, which is equivalent to 30 / 40% more turnover due to skyrocketing prices. This increase was possible because we are able to offer a wide range of products and that we can count on a diversified and international clientele (our export rate is around 50%): every country was subject to different rules in terms of lockdowns and restrictions. Our order book has reached record levels like never in the past: imbalances in the world market have led customers to place orders six to eight months in advance because they were afraid of production materials shortages.”
Although this year Fainplast had to mainly focus on optimizing its supply chain to meet demand, the company keeps on investing in R&D activities, aiming at implementing sustainable and circular economy solutions. “We are improving our production cycles and experimenting recycling methods both for EVA and bio-based products made out of polymers derived from biomass. Notwithstanding that the most urgent challenges for now concern the shortage of raw materials, the consequent rise in prices and the extension of delivery times.”
