Decortech Conference returns to Rimini with a new format and multi-surface concept

On 23 and 24 September, during the 29th edition of TECNA 2026 - The Global Expo for ceramics and more, a dedicated arena will host two days of sessions on materials, aesthetics and technology. For the first time, the programme has been curated by a Technical Committee and organised by application sector rather than by material.

Rimini, 10 September 2026 – From 22 to 25 September 2026, the Rimini Expo Centre will host the 29th edition of TECNA - The Global Expo for ceramics and more, organised by IEG - Italian Exhibition Group in collaboration with ACIMAC. On 23 and 24 September, the two central days of the show, the Decortech Conference will focus on surface innovation, decoration and design in its own arena and exhibition area in Halls B5-D5.

What is Decortech and what’s new in 2026?

First launched in 2022 and now in its third edition, the Decortech Conference brings together leading technology companies, architecture practices, universities, associations and training institutions to explore aesthetic trends and the latest solutions for surface customisation and design. The 2026 slogan, Surfaces made to matter, expresses the event’s aim of moving beyond the purely aesthetic aspects of decoration and exploring how technology can combine design and performance in surfaces.

The biggest change this year is the way the programme has been structured. For the first time, the two-day programme has been drawn up by a Technical Committee consisting of industry professionals and leading associations and companies, including Ceramicolor-Federchimica, GIMAV, FESPA Italia, ACIMAC, Torrecid, Cefla Finishing, Biesse, ADI, Metis Systems and IEG. The committee selected the topics and speakers to ensure that every session is grounded in genuine innovation.

The underlying concept has also changed. Rather than a vertical, material-based approach, Decortech is now organising its content by application sector, reflecting the way that technology manufacturers are increasingly focusing on end-use industries rather than on individual materials. The result is a greater emphasis on multi-material solutions and a clear focus on two target industries: Housing & Interior Components and the Space Industry, which is also linked to BEX – Beyond Exploration Expo, the new space economy exhibition running concurrently in the Rimini Expo Centre. Each session follows a common format that brings together design, technology and research before concluding with a discussion.

23 September – Materials and Aesthetics

The first day is curated and moderated by Patrizia Catalano, a journalist and contributor to Interni who also serves on the Technical Committee as Head of Content. Starting at 10.15 am, the Designing Surfaces session explores the shift away from a formalist approach centred on an object’s appearance towards a greater emphasis on material as a defining element of architecture and interior design. The speakers are Francesco Zurlo, Dean of the School of Design at the Polytechnic University of Milan, who will examine how strategic design can drive innovation in surfaces and finishes, and Duccio Grassi, founder of Duccio Grassi Architects, who will discuss retail design as a testing ground for emerging interior trends.

In the following session entitled Research, Innovation, Sustainability, Antonio De Antonis, President of AIPI and Vice President of EIDD Design for All, will reflect on surfaces as an interface between architecture and people; Marina Cella, an architect at External Reference (Barcelona), will present biodegradable surface coverings made from agri-food waste as part of the Closing Circle Beauty project developed at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; and Giacomo Geroldi, Project Director at Park Associati, will discuss the work of the Park Materials department and the practice’s materials library.

In the afternoon, starting at 2.00 pm, Interior & Outdoor will focus on the structural and technological potential of new surface materials, with talks by Armando Bruno, CEO of Studio Marco Piva, Henza Sabry of Distance Studio Consultants (Cairo) and Mario Bisson, Associate Professor at the Department of Design at the Polytechnic University of Milan. Bisson will present research from the Colour Laboratory and the EDME laboratory on CMF (Colour, Material, Finishing) Design and multisensory perception. The day concludes at 4.00 pm with the Advanced Ceramics and Composites workshop: a materials platform for next-generation aerospace and beyond, organised by the CNR (National Research Council of Italy) – ISSMC (Institute of Science, Technology and Sustainability for the Development of Ceramic Materials) and highlighting the connections between advanced manufacturing and the space economy.

“The first day, which I am curating, centres on design and the quality that good design can bring to a project,” explains Patrizia Catalano. “We will involve leading Italian and international practices, looking both at emerging markets such as Morocco, Egypt and the Middle East and at more established markets such as the United States, China and Japan. The common thread is experience: in an age of information overload, designers need clear points of reference and tangible experiences. This is what makes the conference an opportunity for learning and professional growth.”

24 September – Materials and Technology

The second day is curated and moderated by Ascanio Zocchi, designer and founder of Ascanio Zocchi Design, who is also a member of the Technical Committee as Head of Content.
The first session, Evolving Nature, focuses on wood. Flavio Borghesi, Marketing Manager at TABU, will explore the colour effects that make wood surfaces unique; Monica Scioni, CEO of OT-LAS, will present CO₂ laser systems for the decorative and functional treatment of materials; Evgeny Borovin, R&D Engineer at X-LAM Dolomiti, will present Supertimber, a material as light as wood and as strong as steel; and Giorgia Zanelli, Finishing Product Manager at SCM Group, will demonstrate how laser and UV systems can be combined to enhance wood and mineral surfaces, producing ultra-matt and tactile effects.

At 11.15 am, Transparency and Sustainability shifts the focus to glass. Vincenzo Maria Sglavo, professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Trento, will explore the material’s paradoxical role as an invisible physical barrier, while Claudio Zanchetta, Paolo Bartoli and Giacomo Venturini will present a case study involving Forel Spa and Vetreria Valmarecchia.

Starting at 2.00 pm, the Material and Immaterial session explores the digital transformation of design. Alex Terzariol, industrial designer and General Manager at MM Design, will discuss the interaction between technology and visual perception; Manwen Li, Senior Director of Product Management at Material Bank (Miami), will explain how digitalisation, 3D and artificial intelligence are redefining the way materials are created and specified; Massimo Colombo, Sales Manager at Metis Systems, will discuss high-resolution scanning of textured materials; and Anastasia Folak, Strategy & Commercial Intelligence Manager at Saueressig, will talk about generating design variants from real material references.

“This second day of the Decortech Conference is envisaged as a journey through nature, human ingenuity and innovation,” says Ascanio Zocchi. “It will explore the design and technological aspects of natural and man-made materials that contribute to better design and everyday wellbeing. Starting with wood, a naturally sustainable material, we move on to glass, whose transparency makes it a natural choice for contemporary architecture and interior design. The programme then explores engineered materials, created to inspire the designers and companies of today and tomorrow. We will also discuss the new frontier in design opened up by artificial intelligence.”

The Decortech Conference reaffirms the role of TECNA 2026 not only as a technology showcase but also as a platform for knowledge sharing and strategic insight across the entire surfaces supply chain.

FOCUS ON ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP

Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A., a joint-stock company listed on Euronext Milan, a regulated market organised and managed by Borsa Italiana S.p.A., has established itself over the years as a leading organiser of trade fairs and conferences in Italy through its Rimini and Vicenza venues. It has also expanded its international activities, including through joint ventures with global and local organisers in countries such as the United States, the United Arab Emirates, China, Mexico, Germany, Singapore and Brazil, positioning itself among Europe’s leading operators in the sector.

FOCUS ON ACIMAC

Acimac is the association of Italian manufacturers of plant, machinery, equipment, semi-finished products, raw materials and services for the ceramic industry (tiles, sanitaryware and tableware), as well as the heavy clay and refractory materials industries. Acimac represents the majority of Italian companies in the sector, from small and medium-sized enterprises to larger corporations. As a member of Confindustria, Acimac forms part of the main representation system for Italian industry.

To stay up to date, visit www.tecnaexpo.com