BFT Carbon taps Paolo Mariola to accelerate carbon fiber adoption in Italian corrugated plants

In July 2026, the Italian converting landscape sees a strategic commercial move as BFT Carbon confirms the appointment of Paolo Mariola to spearhead its operations within the national corrugated board market. The addition of Mariola, a highly regarded figure with decades of hands-on experience in the sector, signals BFT Group’s ambition to accelerate the adoption of its specialized flexographic technologies across Italy’s extensive network of packaging plants. This move aligns with a broader industry trend where corrugated converters are actively seeking specialized partnerships to modernize their existing machinery assets without incurring the massive capital expenditure of entirely new lines.

Retrofitting for Efficiency in Corrugated Production

The global corrugated industry is operating under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality graphics on sustainable substrates while minimizing machine downtime. In this demanding environment of 2026, simply relying on original equipment manufacturer replacement parts is no longer the default strategy for ambitious converters. BFT Carbon, an Italian center of excellence and a key division of BFT Group, has carved out a robust niche by providing carbon fiber doctor blade chambers and automated inking and washing systems. These high-performance components can be seamlessly retrofitted onto legacy printing lines from major builders, breathing new life into aging assets.

Carbon fiber chambers offer distinct engineering advantages over traditional aluminum alloys, transforming the efficiency of the press room. The benefits are highly tangible for plant managers focused on output metrics:

• Vibration reduction: The inherent stiffness of carbon fiber eliminates micro-vibrations that compromise print quality on fluted corrugated boards.
• Corrosion resistance: The inert material completely resists the corrosive effects of modern water-based inks, extending the lifespan of the chamber significantly.
• Consistent metering: Ensures flawless doctor blade pressure against the anilox roller for finer screens, sharp texts, and complex gradients.
• Standardization: Allows converters to use universal components across different machine brands, slashing spare parts inventory and simplifying maintenance protocols.

This precision allows packaging manufacturers to achieve sharp texts and flawless fade-to-zero gradients. Furthermore, reducing maintenance bottlenecks directly accelerates operator training and machine uptime, a critical factor given the ongoing skilled labor shortages in the European manufacturing sector.

Experience Meets Technological Innovation

Introducing these highly engineered components to traditional converters requires more than just a superior product catalog; it demands a deep understanding of plant dynamics, daily production hurdles, and operator pain points. This is exactly where Paolo Mariola’s appointment becomes a significant strategic asset for the Italian technology firm.

“Paolo is a well-known name in the industry: he brings with him decades of experience and a deep knowledge of the market, customers and their needs,” noted Simone Bonaria, COO of BFT Group, when announcing the incorporation. “A package that represents enormous value for BFT Carbon, as we continue to strengthen our presence in the corrugated board sector in Italy. We are confident that his expertise and experience will translate into new opportunities and a service even closer to our customers.”

For decades, Mariola has worked closely with Italian converters, successfully navigating the technical and commercial complexities of retrofitting flexo printers to boost overall productivity. His established network and earned technical credibility will provide BFT Carbon with a direct channel to plant managers and technical directors who are actively seeking tangible solutions to reduce water and ink consumption while elevating their print standards.

Looking Ahead in the Italian Market

Italy remains one of Europe's undisputed heavyweights in corrugated board production, characterized by a highly fragmented but technically advanced ecosystem comprising both independent converters and large multinational groups. As the European packaging industry advances toward 2027 and 2028, the strategic focus is squarely on operational efficiency, circular economy principles, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Upgrading existing machinery with advanced peripheral systems represents a highly capital-efficient way for companies to remain competitive and compliant.

The strategic synergy between BFT Carbon’s disruptive carbon fiber technology and Paolo Mariola’s deep-rooted market expertise creates a formidable commercial force for the Italian market. By focusing on practical, high-impact retrofits, the converting industry can achieve immediate sustainability and quality gains. How many other established packaging plants could unlock massive hidden capacity simply by rethinking their peripheral inking systems? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai