High performance standards and total respect for the environment

This year, the ICA Group stood out even more than in the past for the innovations it proposed, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability issues.
A fruitful collaboration project with the prominent Dutch firm DSM has given rise to a new water-based coatings line for interiors called IRIDEA BIO.
The Iridea Bio line met with considerable approval from large furniture manufacturers, who appreciated the hard work done by the ICA Group to develop a line of water-based wood coatings, formulated using innovative materials derived from renewable sources. The new IRIDEA BIO coatings have been made with materials whose renewable nature derives from innovative processes aimed at refining “waste“ vegetable matter which cannot be transformed into food for humans. These coatings, made from vegetable matter by the ICA Group, are resilient, resistant to chemicals and lightfast. They are also ideal for industrial processing, just like other corresponding oil-derived products from ICA. They have been formulated with acrylic-based resins and, compared to other products on the market made with alkyd resins from renewable sources, they are quicker drying, harder and possess greater non-yellowing properties. What is more, as compared to similar alkyd-derived products, IRIDEA BIO monocomponent and bicomponent coats are easier to sand and more resistant when subsequent coats are applied, meaning they can be used in intensive industrial processing cycles.
The new Antiche Armonie colors, displayed on a wall of floral letters, captured visitors' attention due to their subtle, delicate hues, evocative of the rustic charm of Italian country life. Those with a keen eye for design trends had the opportunity to appreciate the new material effects of the Urban Matter line: Liquid Foil, Acid-etched Steel and Stone effects. Lifelab, the ICA Group's laboratory devoted solely to customers, designers and engineers, was also unveiled for the first time.