Growth in the market of fibreglass laminates for RVs
Brianza Plastica products are playing an increasingly important role in the recreational vehicle industry, where the aesthetic quality of the laminates is especially appreciated. The company’s presence in the market of flat laminates in sheets and rolls for the construction of panels starts in the early years of the new millennium, but originates from the experience acquired since its birth, in 1962, with the production of fibreglass laminates for the building and agricultural sectors. Brianza Plastica today offers to its customers laminates obtained through a continuous hot-laminating process, under the Elyplan brand, as well as laminates obtained by cold lamination (allowing the polyester resin to polymerise at room temperature), marketed under the Elycold brand,
which are characterised by a superior aesthetic finish, guaranteed by the near-in- visibility of the fibreglass.
Four of the five of the company’s manufacturing plants, all of which in Italy, are dedicated to the production of fibreglass laminates.
Brianza Plastica is highly sensitive to safe- ty issues and to ensuring care for the environment and compliance with current regulations on environmental hygiene. It is with this mindset that the company in- stalled powerful air recirculation systems in all its manufacturing plants where the production of fibreglass laminates takes place, systems whose purpose is to purify the air in the indoor production halls, channeling exhaust air into modern abatement plants.The heat recovered is partly reused to power the plant itself and partly to generate hot water for heating.
Company profile
Brianza Plastica was established in 1962 to produce fibreglass laminates. Over time, it has significantly extended its market presence with a comprehensive product range. It has served the construction industry and has been enjoy- ing increasing success in the transport sector since 2006. In this arena, it sup- plies fibreglass sheets and rolls both to manufacturers of recreational vehicles and to lorry and refrigerated-trailer producers.
The Company is based in Carate Brianza (north of Milan), with other factories in Ferrandina, Ostellato and two in San Martino di Venezze, all based in Italy. It has commercial branches in Lyon (France) and Elkhart (USA). Brianza Plastica is one of the european largest manufacturer of fibreglass laminates; it produces laminates with both hot con-inuous and cold discontinuous technology. The Company has 260 employees and invoices over 70 million euros.
Product Focus
Superior quality, lightness, durability, aesthetic appeal and a variety of finishes have contributed to the wide-scale use of the Elycold and Elyplan fibreglass laminates in the recreational vehicle industry (campers and caravans) for the construction of walls, anti-hail roofs, floors and internal coverings. The range of flat laminates manufactured by Brianza Plastica for this sector stands out for the extreme durability of the material, its resistance to atmospheric agents and UV rays thanks to the gelcoat protection, ease of repair and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The laminates range in thickness from 0.8 to 4.0 mm and are characterised by the presence or absence of a reinforcement mat, the option of customising the colour, and the choice between a matt or glossy finish. Especially intended for the recreational vehicles sector is Elyplan Design: rolls and sheets manufactured in continuous lamination and characterised by the bonding of materials such as PVC and paper directly onto the fibreglass laminate in the production line, it is the ideal solution for applications inside the vehicle, on the floor or wall, as an excellent alternative to plywood, since it is a composite element that is instantly ready for use. Elyplan Design comes in a broad range of colours and finishes. Elyplan Antislip is an excellent solution for the construction of interior floors, for example of storage containers, to prevent loads from slipping. The product has a high performance in terms of resistance to slipping (class R13 in accordance with standard DIN 51130:2014- 02) and to abrasion (according to standard D4060-ISO 9352).
The NO BAC finish, developed by Brianza Plastica, is a silver- based antibacterial technology that enables the near total elimination of the bacteria and germs present on the laminate’s surface, thus preventing them from colonising and therefore guaranteeing an added level of protection in any environment. The NO BAC technology is integrated permanently into the surface of the laminate from early production and is uniformly distributed on the entire surface, actively protecting the laminate throughout its life cycle. There are multiple fields of application for this innovative product: food industry and food storage, white rooms, laboratories, cold rooms for transportation and more generally, all premises that require high hygiene standards: schools, nurseries, healthcare facilities, kitchens, bathrooms,
wellness centres, gyms, and shopping malls. The new Elyplan in metallic colours is available in the standard, Super and Super HF versions. Ready for use, the product ensures high aesthetic appeal, donating a pleasant brilliance to the finishes on which it is applied, avoiding the hassle of any added coating.
Elyplan in metallic colours
R & D
The Research & Development Division plays an essential role in the company’s manufacturing process. In early 2019, Brianza Plastica inaugurated the new laboratory assigned both to research & development and to the production quality control, as well as to test standard and customised products. The new laboratory has seen its surface area triplicate compared to its previous set-up, benefiting from significant enhancement of its technical staff. The new facility features the most advanced equipment in support of the manufacturing processes both of the insulating panels and fibreglass laminates.
