Andrea Moreno – DIAMAC
The paint, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and printing inks industry is undergoing a profound technological transformation. Today’s market demands increasingly high-performance formulations, efficient manufacturing processes, reduced energy consumption, and production systems capable of delivering maximum flexibility. In this context, plant engineering plays a pivotal role in converting the complexity of chemical formulations into continuous, safe, and fully repeatable industrial processes.
CEngineering excellence and tailor-made solutions for the chemical industry
Founded in 1944 by Pasquale Moreno in Ceranesi, Italy, Diamac began its industrial journey as a precision mechanical workshop specializing in turning operations during the postwar period. Over the decades, the company has steadily expanded its business and is now led by Chief Executive Officer Giovanni Moreno, supported by his son Andrea and his grandson Gianluca. Today, Diamac is recognized as a leading international engineering partner in the design and manufacture of process plants and machinery for the production of paints, coatings, printing inks, glues, adhesives, sealants, resins, pigments, polyurethanes, and mastics.
Unlike conventional mass-production manufacturers, the company’s engineering philosophy combines a strong handcrafted tradition with continuous technological innovation. Every plant is custom-designed and manufactured according to each customer’s production layout, logistics, and specific process requirements. This approach enables Diamac to deliver highperformance equipment engineered for long-term reliability, with systems installed more than forty years ago still operating efficiently in customers’ production facilities. The company remains committed to the highest standards of material quality and engineering excellence, without compromising on technical specifications. All machinery is entirely designed and manufactured at the company’s production facility close to Genoa, Italy, enabling customers to perform the complete manufacturing process for both water-based and solvent-based formulations:
– Agitators and high-speed dispersers: versatile solutions available in configurations ranging from 0.5-litre laboratory units to large-scale industrial dispersers with capacities of up to 8,000 litres. They are available in both standard versions and ATEX-certified explosion-proof versions for processing flammable substances and solvents. The machines require no internal lubrication and are designed with easily replaceable wear components, such as dispersing blades and bellows, ensuring simplified maintenance and reduced downtime.
– Mixers and extruders: equipment specifically engineered for processing high-density, high-viscosity products, including sealants, structural adhesives, and mastics.
– Grinding mills: advanced milling technologies designed for fine grinding and pigment micronization, delivering consistent particle size distribution and high-quality dispersion.
– Mixers: up to 8,000 liters.
Energy efficiency and flexible automation: the Macinatore M and integrated process systems
Although the fundamental principles of dispersion and grinding are well established, technological innovation has transformed the architecture of modern production systems. The main areas of development include improved energy efficiency, the adoption of ultra-high-efficiency motors, and significant noise reduction. A representative example of this technological progress is the new Macinatore M. Designed to combine high performance with ease of operation for the coatings and chemical processing industries, the M Grinder incorporates a range of advanced engineering features:
– Robust and ergonomic construction: manufactured entirely from AISI 304 stainless steel, the machine is equipped with a mixing shaft supported by sealed ball bearings and an adjustable vessel clamping system using universal fastening belts.
– Hydraulic lifting system: it allows an easy lifting of the grinding head through an integrated hydraulic power unit, improving operator ergonomics while facilitating faster maintenance and cleaning operations.
– Integrated cooling basket: manufactured from AISI 304 stainless steel, the cooling basket eliminates, in most applications, the need for externally cooled vessels, optimizing plant layout while reducing installation and operating costs.
– Integrated process safety and control systems: the electrical control panel (IP44-rated and equipped with an inverter and EMC interference filters) incorporates comprehensive safety features, including a vessel-presence limit switch, a safety interlock preventing shaft rotation while the grinding head is being raised or lowered, motor thermistors (available with either standard or ATEXcertified motors), and temperature sensors with automatic shutdown protection.
Beyond individual processing units, automated production plants rely on advanced process control technologies. The loading and dosing of powders, liquids, resins, and additives are managed by central control systems interfaced with high-precision electronic weighing systems and dedicated control valves. However, Diamac’s engineering philosophy favours flexible automation over rigid process control. While computerized systems ensure accuracy, consistency, and repeatability, they also allow laboratory technicians and plant operators to make process adjustments in response to environmental conditions, such as humidity, and the inherent variability of raw materials.
Production cycle optimization and industrial modernization
Optimizing production lines in highly specialized chemical industries requires a synergistic approach in which grinding and mixing equipment operates seamlessly alongside dosing and packaging systems. The primary objective for manufacturers is to significantly reduce cycle times while maintaining, or even improving, the formulation stability of finished products, whether water-based or solvent-based products.
A modern, high-performance production plant is typically built around three key process stages:
1 – High-shear grinding units: essential for the fine size reduction of solid particles within the formulation, ensuring precise micronization that is critical to the longterm stability of enamels, primers, and protective coatings.
2 – High-precision mixers and agitators: designed for the final homogenization stage and the controlled incorporation of additives into the formulation.
3 – Automated filling and packaging systems: engineered for fast, reliable product filling while ensuring full compliance with industrial safety standards.
The adoption of these advanced production configurations, complemented by auxiliary solutions such as automatic vessel cleaning systems (e.g., the Polivasc system), significantly reduces production downtime during product changeovers while minimizing the consumption of cleaning agents and solvents. To facilitate this technological transition, flexible financing solutions. such as operating leases with no upfront payment and tailored periodic instalments, enable manufacturers to invest in advanced processing technologies without adversely affecting their operating cash flow.
Diamac to exhibit at Paint & Coatings Italy 2026
Innovation in the formulation of chemical products requires production systems capable of evolving alongside changing market demands. At the upcoming Paint & Coatings Italy 2026, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Diamac’s technologies firsthand, including its latest-generation grinding equipment and tailor-made automation solutions for chemical manufacturing. The exhibition will provide an ideal opportunity to discuss customers’ specific process requirements with Diamac’s engineering team and discover how advanced process solutions can optimize production efficiency, reduce cycle times, and lower energy and operating costs.
“Diamac will exhibit at Paint & Coating Italy 2026” – Stand 648.
