Company News23 November 2021
Maurizio Bertocco Interview: ILPRA’s Growth and Market Outlook
In our Investiamo Italia interview with NewIT, Maurizio Bertocco shares how ILPRA navigated COVID-era shifts and where the business is focused next.
Our interview on Investiamo Italia: performance, resilience, and what’s next for ILPRA
We were pleased to join NewIT for the Investiamo Italia feature, where our CEO Maurizio Bertocco discussed ILPRA’s performance during the COVID period, the strength of the packaging sector, and our priorities for continued growth.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview.
Who we are
ILPRA is an Italian packaging machinery manufacturer, with strong expertise in tray sealing and packaging solutions for fresh products. We manage the full process in house, from design and production through to software, installation, and aftersales support.
A large share of our business is international, with around 70% of our machines supplied to customers outside Italy.
A legacy of packaging innovation
Maurizio highlighted ILPRA’s long history in packaging, including early work in blister packaging and a major step forward in the 1980s with tray packaging machinery.
From there, we developed solutions around protective atmospheres and MAP (modified atmosphere packaging), helping fresh products last longer while maintaining quality and reducing the need for preservatives.
“Our path really accelerated from the early 1980s, when we introduced one of the first tray packaging machines in Italy. From there, everything developed around protective atmospheres: you remove the air and replace it with gas so a fresh product can last much longer, while keeping its sensory and microbiological qualities intact. Over time, this has also helped reduce the need for preservatives, because the packaging itself provides a higher level of protection.”
Why R&D matters
R&D is central to how we work. Packaging needs change quickly, and innovation is essential to stay competitive globally. We often support customers as consultants first, helping shape the right packaging solution before building the equipment.
COVID impact: demand up, travel down
COVID created greater demand for fresh products with longer shelf life, which increased interest in packaging solutions like ours. At the same time, travel restrictions made installations and on site technical support more difficult.
Overall, Maurizio explained that the market remained resilient and opportunities increased
Sustainability and the future of materials
The interview also covered sustainability and the evolving role of plastics. Maurizio noted the market is moving toward more recyclable materials, including recycled plastics and mono material packaging that is easier to process at end of life.
Compostable and biodegradable materials are developing too, but they still come with performance and cost challenges today.
Supply chain pressures and cost increases
Like many manufacturers, we’ve faced rising raw material costs and component delays. Maurizio explained that our focus on engineering, automation, and service helps protect long term value, even in volatile conditions.
He also shared that maintaining strong stock levels has supported production continuity, particularly during electronics supply disruption.
What’s next: international growth and targeted acquisitions
ILPRA’s next growth phase is focused on expanding with international commercial and service branches (spares and technical assistance) and strengthening our offer through targeted acquisitions within the packaging sector.
A balanced approach to dividends
Maurizio also reiterated our dividend approach: rewarding shareholders when conditions allow, while protecting the company’s ability to invest and grow sustainably.
Watch In Full
We’d like to thank NewIT for the invitation and the opportunity to share more about ILPRA’s performance and direction in a rapidly evolving global market.
