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    23.06.2026 DÖRKEN Days Italy: Presentations and Networking in a Historic Setting

    Beautiful weather, a stunning setting and—most importantly—engaging speeches and fruitful discussions.

    That’s how the DÖRKEN Days Italy 2026 can be summarized in a nutshell. Following a long break, the event finally reunited the leading players in the Italian market to focus on the topics currently shaping the industry. At the scenic Castello di Casiglio in Erba, around 60 participants from over 20 companies across the entire value chain came together.

    The event was opened by Daniela Bargna and Pietro Belleri. Simone Sanseverinati then presented the room-temperature curing solution DELTA-PROTEKT® KL 170 RT to the audience. In addition, the Italian colleagues provided an overview of developments in the Italian, European, and extra-European markets.

    The dominant topic of the day was the European Union’s planned PFAS restriction and its impact on the entire supply chain. DÖRKEN expert Sabrina Hilbt brought the attendees up to speed on the latest developments, before customers and partners outlined the transition away from PFAS from their individual perspectives.

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    Annalisa Volpe from Ducati Motor Holding outlined the validation process for new coatings, focusing on the technical requirements for new products. Massimo Viganó from Agrati and Davide Sacchet from Brugola OEB contributed insights from the viewpoint of fastener manufacturers, focusing on the challenges of transition within complex supply chains, each from their own specific perspective. From Itasprings, a manufacturer of springs, Ernesto Russiello shared a specific case of the transition to PFAS-free products that is currently undergoing validation. Last but not least, two coating companies shared their views. Bruno de Bortoli from Fosfantartiglio L.E.I. and Alessandro Mondin from Primat Curtis described their approaches to the transition to a PFAS-free future, detailing the potential challenges that may arise if a strategic and well-defined approach is not adopted.

    The final presentation of the day was given by Klaus Gradtke, VW Key Account Manager at DÖRKEN, who brought the topic to life with a current case study. He presented an example of the approval process within VW, describing the timeline and the tests conducted to meet all requirements.

    Beyond the technical presentations, the event also marked an important moment for DÖRKEN Italia. As part of a generational transition within the organization, Robin Miloc was honored for his 20 years of service at DÖRKEN as well as his long-standing contribution to the Italian market.

    Once the presentations had concluded, the day was far from over. Participants joined a guided tour of the historic castle grounds. The well-preserved castle was built in the 14th century. Following the tour, everyone gathered for a group lunch, which provided an opportunity for numerous interesting conversations and discussions.

    “The DÖRKEN Days were a great success,” summarized Daniela Bargna and Pietro Belleri, "We are delighted that so many of our customers and partners attended and that we were able to engage in direct dialogue with them, as well as facilitate exchanges among themselves. This creates synergy effects and, hopefully, many new projects.”

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