From the athletics Track to Research: Mondo at the Made in Italy Innovation Forum

On June 24, Mondo took part in the Made in Italy Innovation Forum, a major national event dedicated to promoting a culture of innovation within the Italian manufacturing ecosystem.

Representing the company was Andrea Marenghi, R&D Director of Mondo Sport&Flooring, who participated in the panel discussion titled “From the Athletics Track to Research: Materials, Technologies and Sustainability in Sport”, organized in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II and the Politecnico di Milano.

The discussion addressed key topics for the future of sports surfaces:

  • The design and technological evolution of athletics tracks;
  • The integration of innovative and sustainable materials into manufacturing processes;
  • The importance of simulation and digitalization to reduce development time;
  • The need for objective tools to assess technical performance.

One of the most appreciated contributions focused on the development of the track at the Stade de France, an outstanding example of collaboration between academic research and industry. The project was completed in record time, featuring the introduction of new compounds, custom colors, and an advanced performance validation system.

Mondo also presented an ongoing experimental activity, developed in cooperation with the Politecnico di Milano: on-site testing of rubber aging using innovative measurement tools currently under evaluation.

"Collaboration between academia and industry is not just an added value: it is a strategic lever to address the challenges of sustainability and innovation in the sports sector", commented Andrea Marenghi.

An invaluable opportunity to engage with other industry players, share experiences, and highlight the role of applied research in the world of sport.