Cannon Group announced the passing of Carlo Fiorentini on March 3, 2022, at the age of 91. Carlo Fiorentini was born in Bologna (Italy) in 1930 and graduated with a degree in industrial engineering chemistry at the prestigious university of his city. After gaining significant professional experience at Rhodiatoce and Grace, he was appointed by engineer Leonardo Volpato in 1963 to direct the newly founded Cannon Afros company located in Caronno Pertusella (Milan).

Fiorentini focused his knowledge of polymer chemistry on the burgeoning polyurethane industry. He soon identified new methods for mixing formulations that the chemical industry was increasingly developing for diverse industrial applications such as domestic refrigerators.

In 1979, after patenting a mixing head for compact and glass fiber reinforced polyurethanes, Carlo Fiorentini designed the FPL - an innovative mixing head suitable for pouring in open mold with laminar flow, thus eliminating foam spraying and paving the way for the automation of that process. This revolutionary device was followed by dozens of other patents, including the development of CarDio, the technology for expanding continuously cast flexible foams using liquid carbon dioxide instead of environmentally harmful blowing agents.

For introducing so many innovative solutions to the worldwide polyurethanes industry, Carlo Fiorentini - after receiving the gold medal of the FSK (the German association of foam manufacturers) - was inducted into the prestigious "Hall of Fame of Polyurethanes" by the American API (Alliance for Polyurethanes Industry) in 2000, along with other pioneers of this sector.

His contribution was not only about technology and continuous innovation, but he was also strongly committed to the company’s commercial development. Carlo generated new opportunities abroad setting up the first agency in Denmark in 1969, continuing to strengthen the business with the first manufacturing site in the United States in 1977, and the first branch of a European company operating in polyurethanes sector in Japan in 1982.

President of the Cannon Group for several decades, his innovative spirit and constant search for new solutions have inspired the group's research and development activities, which will continue with the same passion and determination.