ECONOMY AND MARKET
Politecnico di Milano Wins ERC Advanced Grant for Study of Micro-Nano Plastics on the Brain
Politecnico di Milano confirms its position at the forefront of cutting-edge research by securing prestigious funding from the European Research Council( ERC) Advanced Grant. Among the winning projects is Andromeda, an interdisciplinary initiative focused on polymer science and human health, which aims to shed light on one of the most pressing environmental and biological issues of our time: the accumulation of micro- and nanoplastics in the brain. Led by Carmen Giordano, professor in the“ Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano, the project will investigate the impact of microscopic plastic fragments on brain functions. To date, the biochemical mechanisms through which micro-nanoplastics manage to accumulate in the brain and compromise its functions remain unknown. The scientific hypothesis underlying Andromeda is that this phenomenon is closely linked to specific chemical and geometric characteristics of the plastic materials themselves. To test this hypothesis, the team will develop an advanced microfabricated model( a microphysiological system) capable of reproducing the cerebral vascular circulation and the glymphatic system— the brain’ s natural“ cleaning” mechanism for toxic substances— at a microscopic scale. In addition to better understanding neurodegenerative diseases associated with accumulation, Andromeda’ s results promise to redefine the boundaries of polymer science and bioengineering. Studying how plastic materials interact at the cellular and structural levels with human tissues will provide crucial data to:
• Guide the design of new eco-compatible or biocompatible polymer materials that do not release toxic fragments into the body.
• Innovate microfabrication systems and the development of biomedical
Carmen Giordano, professor in the“ Giulio Natta” Department of Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano
models. The project will be carried out in collaboration with Diego Albani( Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche“ Mario
Negri”) and Andrea Arighi( Policlinico di Milano), combining the engineering expertise on materials of the Politecnico with world-class medical research.
Italian technology plast / October 2026
030
Irplast: Fausto Cosi Appointed President, Retains CEO Role
Irplast has appointed Fausto Cosi to the position of President. Cosi will take on the new role while concurrently retaining his position as Chief Executive Officer, thereby centralizing the strategic and executive leadership of the group. Already included by Forbes Italy in its prestigious ranking of the Top 100 Managers in 2025, Fausto Cosi takes over the baton from Hiroshi Suzuki. The outgoing President resigned due to a recent promotion that will see him take on a broader global role within the Toppan Group. Suzuki will not leave the company, however, maintaining his seat on Irplast’ s Board of Directors. With this dual role, Cosi will be tasked with consolidating Irplast’ s positioning on international markets and guiding the company toward its next industrial challenges, which are strongly focused on innovation and the environmental sustainability of packaging materials.
Luigi Piovan, Founder of the Automation Company, Has Passed Away
Luigi Piovan passed away on Sunday, June 7, at the age of 91. He was the entrepreneur who founded one of the most internationally renowned Italian companies in the field of automation for polymer production. Starting in 1964, Luigi Piovan led the company’ s growth for over forty years, helping to transform it into a global reference point for technologies dedicated to the handling, treatment, and automation of plastic materials. In remembering him, the company emphasized how his entrepreneurial spirit, combined with his capacity for vision and innovation, represented the foundation of the group’ s development and will continue to serve as a reference for employees, customers, and partners in the sector.
Luigi Piovan
www. plastmagazine. it