years of ASSOMAC

BERGI

CONTINUOUS BELT GRINDER

ERGONOMICS, ACCURACY, PRODUCT QUALITY

The ACTIVE continuous belt grinder was created to process items that require cold processing and increased dust discharge. It is ideal for vegetable-tanned leathers, oiled leathers, automotive putty splits and coil material. The distance between the buffing point and the exit mat is cut in half compared to a conventional buffing machine, resulting in a more distended leather at the entrance of the dust collector.

La smerigliatrice a nastro in continuo ATTIVA nasce per lavorare articoli che richiedono una lavorazione a freddo e uno scarico maggiore della polvere. Ideale per pelli conciate al vegetale, pelli oliate, croste stuccate per automotive e materiale in bobina. La distanza tra il punto di smerigliatura e il tappeto di uscita è dimezzata rispetto ad una smerigliatrice tradizionale, ottenendo così una pelle più distesa all’entrata della depolveratrice.

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BRS BARNINI - ROBOT SYSTEM

AUTOMATED CYCLE WITH ROBOTS

BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT, ACCURACY, SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

The robot takes the leather from the overhead chain and places it on the conveyor belt of the finishing line. A brand new automatic system for the entry of hides into tannery machinery replaces heavy and repetitive manual work. The hides, both half and whole, can be loaded by the robot on the processing plant without the aid of operators.

Il robot preleva la pelle dalla catena aerea e la colloca sul tappeto di trasporto della linea di rifinizione. Un nuovissimo sistema automatico per l’ingresso delle pelli nei macchinari di conceria sostituisce un gravoso e ripetitivo lavoro manuale. Le pelli, sia mezzine che intere, possono essere caricate dal robot sull’impianto di lavorazione senza l’ausilio di operatori.

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GEMATA

VERY LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITH GREENFINISH

ENERGY SAVINGS, BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT, ACCURACY, BETTER RESOURCES USE, SPEED AND EFFICIENCY, PRODUCT QUALITY

Innovative release paper finishing line with drying tunnel with pyrometers to control the temperature on the paper and on the leather surface. It is the first system to use the GREENSTARs roller coating machine to coat the thermo-adesive on the leathers. Uniform coverage effect on all leathers. Minimisation of environmental impacts with the reduction of energy waste and the elimination of atmospheric emissions

Innovativa linea di rifinizione con carta release e tunnel di asciugatura all’infrarosso con pirometri per il controllo della temperatura sulla superficie della carta e della pelle. È il primo impianto che utilizza la spalmatrice a rullo GREENSTARS per depositare il termo-adesivo sulle pelli. Combina efficienza e rispetto dell’ambiente. Realizza un effetto di copertura uniforme su tutte le pelli. Minimizza gli impatti ambientali perché riduce gli sprechi energetici e azzera le emissioni in atmosfera.

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GIULIANI TECNOLOGIE

WE MEASURE THE RESISTANCE (FLEXOMETER BALLY TYPE)

ACCURACY

Machine for the determination of resistance to repeated bending on leather, artificial leathers and similar at room temperature and at low temperatures. The Bally type Flexometer instrument is internationally recognized as a reference instrument for measuring the wet or dry flexural strength of leather, imitation leather and similar. The movement creates a lean angle that simulates normal wear that damages the leather and subjects the sample to an important fatigue test.

Apparecchio per la determinazione della resistenza alle flessioni ripetute su cuoio, pelli artificiali e similari a temperatura ambiente ed a basse temperature. Lo strumento Bally type Flexometer è lo strumento di riferimento internazionale per misurare la resistenza alla flessione a umido o a secco di pelle, finta pelle e similari. Il movimento crea un angolo di piega che simula la normale usura che danneggia la pelle e sottopone il campione ad un importante test di fatica.

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I-TECH

REVOLUTIONARY LEAN PRODUCTION SYSTEM

BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT, ACCURACY, BETTER RESOURCE USE, SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

State-of-the-art ad-hoc solutions have been designed for each stage of production to ensure a drastic reduction in raw material consumption and water consumption due to washing operations, as well as a marked reduction in waste and discharge. All this leads to a radical reduction in costs and a significant improvement in the processing system.

Una soluzione di efficientamento produttivo per il reparto di rifinizione delle pelli delle concerie a partire dalla preparazione delle miscele colorate. La soluzione è costituita da due macro-parti, una hardware impiantistica ed una software integrata.

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NEXUS

AUTOMATIC STACKING LEATHER (BIG BROTHER)

ERGONOMICS, ACCURACY

Automatic system for stacking leather at the exit of another operating machine positioned upstream. It is revolutionary because it performs the same function of traditional stackers in much smaller spaces and without operator intervention, even in case of very shining automotive leathers. Modular system and small sizes. Remote assistance and Industry 4.0.

Sistema automatico per impilare le pelli all’uscita di un’altra macchina operatrice posizionata a monte. Rivoluzionario rispetto agli accatastatori tradizionali perché svolge la stessa funzione in spazi più piccoli e senza l’intervento dell’operatore, anche in caso di pelli per automotive lucidissime. Sistema modulare e dimensioni ridotte. Teleassistenza e Industria 4.0.

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OMFAS

THE REMOTELY CONTROLLED TAILOR-MADE DRUM

ERGONOMICS, DIGITAL DATA COLLECTION AND USE

Stainless steel drums of standard dimensions or customizable with 10” PLC touch screen control panel. Supporting structure in tubular stainless steel AISI 304 and components of the highest quality. New interconnection software for remote control from any device. Extremely accurate design with customized logos and graphics.

Bottali inox di dimensioni standard o personalizzabili con quadro comandi PLC touch screen da 10”. Struttura portante in tubolare acciaio inox AISI 304 e componentistica di altissima qualità. Nuovo software di interconnessione per il controllo a distanza da qualsiasi dispositivo. Design estremamente curato con loghi e grafiche personalizzati.

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TODESCO

INNOVATION IN SPRAYING (INNOVER)

BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENT, BETTER RESOURCE USE, SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

Innover spray booth: a system that changes the way leathers are finished under the banner of productivity and reduced maintenance time and color consumption. The booth is all AISI 304 stainless steel, sturdy and finished with care and attention to detail. The innovative arrangement of the fume extraction fan, in direct intake inside the booth, ensures an even flow of air. The main intake is located on the median of the conveyor belt instead of underneath. The advantage? Dispersed color never settles on the skin, and turbulence is minimized to prevent it from affecting spray flames.

Cabina di spruzzatura Innover: un sistema che cambia il modo di rifinire le pelli all’insegna della produttività e della riduzione dei tempi di manutenzione e consumo del colore. La cabina è tutta in acciaio inox AISI 304, robusta e rifinita con attenzione e cura nei dettagli. L’innovativa disposizione della ventola di aspirazione dei fumi, in presa diretta all’interno della cabina, assicura un flusso omogeneo dell’aria. L’aspirazione principale è posta sulla mediana del nastro trasportatore invece che sotto. Il vantaggio? Il colore disperso non si deposita mai sulla pelle e le turbolenze sono ridotte al minimo per evitare che influiscano sulle fiamme di spruzzatura.

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GEMATA PRESENTS THE ADVANTAGES OF GREENFINISH

Efficiency and environmental respect with release paper finishing line with infrared drying tunnel

THE GREENSTARS ROLLER COATER LA SPALMATRIE A RULLO GREENSTARS

The star of the Gemata booth at the last Tanning Tech was the Greenstars roller coating machine. A top-of-the-line machine that the Veneto-based company now also offers as the terminal of Greenfinish, the innovative finishing line with release paper and infrared drying tunnel that combines efficiency and environmental friendliness. A compact and very fast line that - they assure from Gemata - achieves a uniform covering effect on all leathers, even the most defective ones, obtaining a much softer leather compared to finishing with spraying systems and diathermic oil. In addition, Greenfinish combines aspects of efficiency and sustainability as it minimizes negative environmental impacts by reducing energy waste and zeroing emissions into the atmosphere. The standard line is complete with accumulator and allows 24/24 non-stop processing, ideal for tanneries with large production batches. The uncoiler, coiler and strip cleaning unit are designed in separate modules to eliminate any kind of interruption or plant downtime. On request, the working speed can be increased by lengthening the infrared tunnels and adding a second head for larger grain finishing. Among the main innovations brought by this finishing system are: - the possibility of finishing all leathers, even those buffed or with defects, in a single pass with significant benefits in reducing costs and working time; - the possibility of obtaining an off-machine leather, almost completely finished, which can be customized with topcoats and fixatives; - compared to spray and roller finishing, the decrease in finishing passes which, as a result, minimizes the risks of contamination; - the possibility of reusing release paper, after an average use of more than 70 passes, even in an alternative way, i.e., as a matrix for the production of items with a smooth base (which are subsequently tumbled or embossed with larger grains).

GEMATA PRESENTA I VANTAGGI DI GREENFINISH

Efficienza e rispetto dell’ambiente con la linea di rifinizione a carta release e tunnel di asciugatura all’infrarosso

La protagonista dello stand Gemata all’ultimo Tanning Tech era la spalmatrice a rullo Greenstars. Una macchina al top di gamma che oggi l’azienda veneta propone anche come terminale di Greenfinish, l’innovativa linea di rifinizione con carta release e tunnel di asciugatura all’infrarosso che combina efficienza e rispetto dell’ambiente. Una linea compatta e molto veloce che - assicurano da Gemata - realizza un effetto di copertura uniforme su tutte le pelli, anche quelle più difettate, ottenendo una pelle molto più morbida rispetto alla rifinizione con impianti di spruzzatura e olio diatermico. Greenfinish, inoltre, coniuga gli aspetti di efficienza a quelli di sostenibilità in quanto minimizza gli impatti ambientali negativi riducendo gli sprechi energetici ed azzerando le emissioni in atmosfera. La linea standard è completa di accumulatore e permette una lavorazione no stop 24/24, ideale per le concerie che hanno grossi lotti di produzione. Lo svolgitore, l’avvolgitore e il gruppo di pulizia del nastro sono progettati in moduli separati per eliminare qualsiasi tipo di interruzione o di fermo impianto. A richiesta è possibile incrementare la velocità di lavoro, allungando i tunnel ad infrarosso e aggiungendo una seconda testa per la rifinizione di grane grosse. Tra le principali novità apportate da questo sistema di rifinizione si segnalano: - la possibilità di rifinire tutte le pelli, anche quelle smerigliate o con difetti, con un solo passaggio con notevoli benefici nella riduzione dei costi e dei tempi di lavoro; - la possibilità di ottenere una pelle fuori macchina, quasi completamente rifinita, che può essere personalizzata con rimonte e fissativi; - rispetto alla rifinizione a spruzzo e a rullo, la diminuzione dei passaggi di rifinizione che, di conseguenza, riduce al minimo i rischi di contaminazione; - la possibilità di riutilizzare la carta release, dopo un uso medio di più di 70 passaggi, anche in maniera alternativa, ossia come matrice per la produzione di articoli con base liscia (che successivamente vengono bottalati o stampati con grane più grandi).

“BRS-BARNINI ROBOT SYSTEM” ROBOTS ARRIVE IN THE TANNERY TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING CYCLE

Advanced anthropomorphic devices to execute leather loading operations onto machines

In tanning processing, there are still many tiring and repetitive manual work steps that do not require special skills, such as the operations required to load and unload hides and skins in and out of the various machines involved in the process. In fact, there are already a variety of automated systems placed at the end of the tanning processes, but none so far had succeeded in automating the input phase of the hides. The reason lies in the great variability in the shape, size and thickness of the hides themselves. Something, however, is about to change. BRS Barnini Robot System-the newly created automation division of the Tuscan mechanical company-has taken up the challenge and at last September's Simac Tanning Tech presented an anthropomorphic robot capable of automatically loading hides onto machines. To make the idea better, a nice video (easily found on the web, ed.) filmed in a Tuscan tannery was shown at the booth, where a robust robot picks up the hides directly from the overhead chain to place them at great speed and without wrinkles on the conveyor belt of the finishing line. "This system makes it possible to eliminate very heavy manual labor, such as lifting and loading hides onto a machine, freeing up personnel who can be dedicated to more meaningful activities. At the moment, the system is already in operation for sheep skins and half hides, but, as per the prototype displayed at the fair, the device for handling whole hides has already been created and is operating in our in-house R&D lab and visible to our customers." explains Barnini's Matteo Simoni.

IN CONCERIA ARRIVANO I ROBOT DI “BRS-BARNINI ROBOT SYSTEM” PER AUTOMATIZZARE IL CICLO PRODUTTIVO

Avanzati dispositivi antropomorfi eseguono le operazioni di carico delle pelli sui macchinari

Nelle lavorazioni conciarie ci sono ancora molte fasi di lavoro manuali faticose e ripetitive che non richiedono competenze particolari, come le operazioni necessarie a caricare e scaricare le pelli in entrata e uscita dai vari macchinari implicati nel processo di lavorazione. In realtà esistono già svariati sistemi automatizzati posti alla fine delle lavorazioni conciarie, ma nessuno finora era riuscito ad automatizzare la fase di ingresso delle pelli. La ragione risiede nella grande variabilità di forma, misura e spessore delle pelli stesse. Qualcosa però sta per cambiare. BRS Barnini Robot System - la divisione dedicata all’automazione appena creata dall’azienda meccanica toscana – ha accettato la sfida e al Simac Tanning Tech dello scorso settembre ha presentato un robot antropomorfo in grado di caricare automaticamente le pelli sulle macchine. Per rendere meglio l’idea, allo stand veniva proiettato un bel video (si trova facilmente in rete, ndr) girato in una conceria toscana dove un robusto robot preleva le pelli direttamente dalla catena aerea per collocarle a gran velocità e senza grinze sul tappeto di trasporto della linea di rifinizione. “Questo sistema permette di eliminare un lavoro manuale molto gravoso, com’è quello di sollevare e caricare le pelli su una macchina, liberando personale che può essere dedicato ad attività più significative. Al momento il sistema è già in funzione per pelli ovocaprine e mezzine ma, come da prototipo esposto in fiera, è già stato realizzato il dispositivo per gestire le pelli intere che è funzionante nel nostro laboratorio Ricerca & Sviluppo in azienda e visibile dai nostri clienti” spiega Matteo Simoni di Barnini.

CARTIGLIANO TALKS ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The company is committed to reducing energy consumption and using renewable sources and collaborates on important projects to benefit the local community

THE 3D CONFIGURATOR FOR SLUDGE DRYING PLANTS IL CONFIGURATORE 3D PER IMPIANTI DI ESSICCAZIONE FANGHI

The theme chosen by Officine di Cartigliano to set up its large booth at Simac Tanning Tech 2022 was Responsibility. A topic declined by making the Sustainable Development Goals (ESGs) of the European Agenda 2030 its own, which the Veneto-based company illustrated one by one outside the booth with special explanatory posters. A long series of commitments to the environment and society that Cartigliano is pursuing on the one hand through continuous technological research and, on the other, by grounding projects dedicated to the community of the area in which it operates. On the environmental front, the company, which specializes in building plants for drying hides, is particularly pushing the reduction of consumption and the use of renewable energy. "The effort in recent years has been to design and build increasingly efficient plants that use low temperatures and minimize energy consumption," the company explains. "Responsibility in this sense is linked to reducing the impact that our machines have on the external environment through the use of electricity produced by photovoltaic panels, instead of fossil fuels”. One solution developed by Cartigliano is the POREG (POwer REGenerator), a multifunctional unit that works in a closed circuit, which allows a 35 percent energy saving on production costs, as far as UnderVoilers are concerned, and significant water savings. "Our challenge today is to dry leathers by decreasing the working temperatures of the machines obtaining full, round, soft leathers that do not lose thickness or footing." Another interesting novelty presented at the fair was the 3D Configurator for sludge drying plants that allows new projects customized to the customer's needs to be developed and defined in every detail with an extraordinary realistic rendering. Finally, the social aspect. "We are carrying out several corporate welfare initiatives to support families in the area in particular with the Giano project: let's manufacture the future," they conclude from Cartigliano.

CARTIGLIANO PARLA DI RESPONSABILITÀ AMBIENTALE E SOCIALE

L’azienda è impegnata nella riduzione dei consumi energetici e nell’utilizzo di fonti rinnovabili e collabora a importanti progetti a favore della comunità locali

Il tema scelto da Officine di Cartigliano per allestire il grande stand al Simac Tanning Tech 2022 è stato quello della Responsabilità. Argomento declinato facendo propri gli obiettivi di sviluppo sostenibile (ESGs) dell’Agenda Europea 2030 che l’azienda veneta ha illustrato uno per uno all’esterno dello stand con appositi poster esplicativi. Una lunga serie di impegni nei confronti dell’ambiente e della società che Cartigliano sta portando avanti da un lato attraverso la ricerca tecnologica continua e, dall’altro, con la messa a terra di progetti dedicati alla comunità del territorio in cui opera. Sul fronte ambientale, l’azienda specializzata nella costruzione di impianti per essiccare le pelli, sta spingendo in particolare sulla riduzione dei consumi e sull’impiego di energia rinnovabile. “Lo sforzo negli ultimi anni è stato quello di progettare e costruire impianti sempre più efficienti che utilizzano basse temperature e riducono al minimo i consumi energetici - spiegano dall’azienda -. La Responsabilità in questo senso è legata alla diminuzione dell’impatto che le nostre macchine hanno sull’ambiente esterno attraverso l’utilizzo di energia elettrica prodotta da pannelli fotovoltaici, anziché da combustibili fossili”. Una soluzione sviluppata da Cartigliano è rappresentata dal POREG (POwer REGenerator), unità multifunzionale che lavora a circuito chiuso, che permette un risparmio energetico del 35% sui costi di produzione, per quanto riguarda i Sottovuoti, e un notevole risparmio idrico. “La nostra sfida oggi è quella di essiccare le pelli diminuendo le temperature di lavoro dei macchinari ottenendo pelli piene, rotonde, soffici che non perdono né spessore né piedaggio”. Un’altra interessante novità presentata in fiera è stata il Configuratore 3D per impianti di essiccazione fanghi che permette di sviluppare e definire in ogni dettaglio nuovi progetti personalizzati sulle esigenze del cliente con una resa realistica straordinaria. Infine, l’aspetto sociale. “Stiamo portando avanti diverse iniziative di welfare aziendale per il supporto delle famiglie del territorio in particolare con il progetto Giano: fabbrichiamo il futuro” concludono da Cartigliano.

FULL CONTROL OF CONSUMPTION WITH ERRETRE TECHNOLOGIES

The Veneto-based company has perfected a tool that accurately records all processing data providing the Carbon Footprint value of each batch of leather

ALL THE MACHINING DATA CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONTROL PANEL DAL PANNELLO COMANDI SI POSSONO OTTENERE TUTTI I DATI DI LAVORAZIONE

Keeping an eye on consumption at the various processing stages is an increasingly pressing need for tanneries considering the sharp rise in energy costs. Help in this direction comes from Erretre, which, together with the Fratelli Carlessi brand, has for years represented a first-rate benchmark in technologies for milling, drying and finishing leathers. Recently, the Veneto-based company has perfected a tool that can provide customers with a complete picture of data on the operation and energy consumption of the entire process. Information that helps to understand how the machine is working and, based on the energy absorbed, to check where its sustainability profile can be further improved as well, by balancing consumption from an economic, production and environmental point of view. "By recording this data closely linked to the individual production batch, connecting to Assomac's Green Plate certification, we are able to tell precisely how many grams of CO2 were produced during each individual processing step, for each batch of hides, providing a complete analysis of the Carbon Footprint produced. This device can be used on all Erretre and Fratelli Carlessi machines," manager Giulio Galiotto explains. Thanks to this tool, which integrates software and hardware solutions, the consumption of any type of energy used, whether electricity, compressed air or steam, is recorded for each batch of hides. With extreme accuracy. "Usually the data provided by manufacturers are based on averages and statistics. We are now able to measure them in a timely manner with a certified system," Galiotto concludes.

PIENO CONTROLLO DEI CONSUMI CON LE TECNOLOGIE ERRETRE

L’azienda veneta ha perfezionato uno strumento che registra con precisione tutti i dati di lavorazione fornendo il valore della Carbon Footprint di ogni lotto di pelle

Tenere d’occhio i consumi delle varie fasi di lavorazione è un’esigenza sempre più pressante per le concerie considerando il forte aumento dei costi energetici. Un aiuto in questa direzione arriva da Erretre che, insieme al marchio Fratelli Carlessi, da anni rappresenta un punto di riferimento di prim’ordine nelle tecnologie per follonare, asciugare e rifinire le pelli. Negli ultimi tempi l’azienda veneta ha perfezionato uno strumento in grado di offrire al cliente un quadro completo dei dati relativi a funzionamento e consumi energetici dell’intero processo. Informazioni che aiutano a capire come sta lavorando la macchina e, in base all’energia assorbita, verificare dove sia possibile migliorare ulteriormente anche il suo profilo di sostenibilità, andando a bilanciare i consumi dal punto di vista economico, produttivo e ambientale. “Registrando questi dati strettamente legati al singolo lotto di produzione, collegandoci alla certificazione Targa Verde di Assomac, siamo in grado di dire con precisione quanti grammi di CO2 sono stati prodotti durante ogni singola fase di lavorazione, per ogni partita di pelli, fornendo un’analisi completa della Carbon Footprint prodotta. Questo dispositivo può essere utilizzato su tutte le macchine Erretre e Fratelli Carlessi” ci spiega il responsabile Giulio Galiotto. Grazie a questo strumento, che integra soluzioni software e hardware, per ogni partita pelli viene registrato il consumo di qualunque tipo di energia utilizzata, che sia elettricità, aria compressa o vapore. Con estrema precisione. “Di solito i dati forniti dai produttori sono basati su medie e statistiche. Noi ora riusciamo a misurarli in modo puntuale con un sistema certificato” conclude Galiotto.

NEXUS PRESENTS BIG BROTHER

An automatic system for stacking automotive hides

Nexus of Montorso (Vicenza) is a benchmark in the field of industrial automation in tanneries. Its latest innovation is called Big Brother, an automatic system for stacking hides coming out of another operating machine positioned upstream that drew the attention of a large number of visitors at Simac Tanning Tech 2022 where it was officially presented through a video. "We are very proud of it" Mirco Roncolato, one of the partners of the company founded almost 25 years ago that supplies software and automated systems to the main Italian tanning groups, explains. "We tested Big Brother in a tannery for a year with very positive results; in particular, it proved to work very well with very shiny automotive leathers, a situation where a traditional stacker usually fails because the leathers are very slippery. On the other hand, thanks to special devices and state-of-the-art mechanics, our system manages to do the job completely automatically without any need for manual intervention". In line with the requirements for the digital transition of Industry 4.0, Big Brother offers many advantages over traditional stackers, particularly because of its reduced weight and size, which allows it to be installed in the tannery without the use of a crane. In addition, it boasts low energy consumption, is modular and already prepared for further development. Other Nexus systems already known on the market include Sortec, an automatic digital system for the leather sorting and selection process, Tantec (computerized supervision for barrels), Drumtec (drum automation), Acquatec (automatic water metering mixer), and Protec (liquid product dosing system).

NEXUS PRESENTA BIG BROTHER

Un sistema automatico per impilare le pelli per automotive

Nexus di Montorso (Vicenza) è un punto di riferimento nel campo delle automazioni industriali in conceria. La sua ultima novità si chiama Big Brother, un sistema automatico per impilare le pelli in uscita da un’altra macchina operatrice posizionata a monte che ha richiamato l’attenzione di un gran numero di visitatori al Simac Tanning Tech 2022 dove è stato presentato ufficialmente attraverso un video. “Ne siamo molto orgogliosi - ci spiega Mirco Roncolato, uno dei soci dell’azienda nata quasi 25 anni fa che fornisce software e sistemi automatizzati ai principali gruppi conciari italiani -. Abbiamo testato Big Brother in una conceria per un anno con risultati molto positivi; in particolare ha dimostrato di funzionare molto bene con le pelli per automotive lucidissime, situazione dove uno stacker tradizionale di solito fallisce perché le pelli sono molto scivolose. Grazie a particolari accorgimenti e ad una meccanica d’avanguardia, il nostro sistema riesce invece a svolgere il lavoro completamente in automatico senza alcuna necessità di intervento manuale”. In linea con i requisiti per la transizione digitale di Industria 4.0, Big Brother offre molti vantaggi rispetto agli accatastatori tradizionali, in particolare per il peso e le dimensioni ridotte che permettono di installarlo in conceria senza l’uso della gru. Inoltre, vanta bassi consumi energetici, è modulare e già predisposto per ulteriori sviluppi. Tra gli altri sistemi Nexus già conosciuti sul mercato, ricordiamo Sortec, un sistema automatico digitale per il processo di scelta e selezione delle pelli, Tantec (supervisione computerizzata per botti), Drumtec (automazione bottali), Acquatec (miscelatore dosatore automatico d’acqua) e Protec (sistema di dosaggio prodotti liquidi).

LEATHER TATTOO, THE LASER MARKER FROM FELTRE

An effective and robust system designed specifically for the tanning environment

DETAIL OF A LEATHER MARKED WITH A UNIQUE CODE PARTICOLARE DI UNA PELLE MARCHIATA CON UN CODICE UNIVOCO

Traceability has become a crucial step in the tanning process because the identification and mapping of the product makes it possible to certify its quality and value. Marking hides indelibly, however, is not straightforward because the operations to which they are subjected in the early stages of processing, such as fleshing, splitting or shaving, sometimes ruin and make the imprinted code unreadable. Current marking systems are estimated to record losses of 30 to 40 percent. A more effective answer now comes from Feltre, which has just launched the "Leather Tattoo," a laser marker designed specifically for use in the notoriously difficult tanning environment. It has developed two models, one for marking raw hides and one for hides at the wet blue/wet white stage. "Our system uses a laser built specifically for the tannery, therefore completely watertight, cooled not by air but by liquid, which can be washed with a simple jet of water," explain the Veneto-based company. "The device is integrated into the process so that each hide is uniquely identified without slowing down the production line. The included software allows the user to control the speed and depth of marking."

LEATHER TATTOO, IL MARCATORE LASER DI FELTRE

Un sistema efficace e robusto progettato specificamente per l’ambiente conciario

La tracciabilità è diventato un passaggio cruciale del processo conciario perché l’identificazione e la mappatura del prodotto consentono di certificarne la qualità e il valore. Marchiare le pelli in modo indelebile non è però semplicissimo perché le operazioni cui vengono sottoposte nelle prime fasi di lavorazione, come la scarnatura, la spaccatura o la rasatura, talvolta rovinano e rendono illeggibile il codice impresso. Si calcola che i sistemi di marcatura attualmente in uso registrino perdite del 30/40 per cento. Una risposta più efficace viene ora da Feltre che ha appena lanciato il “Leather Tattoo”, un marcatore laser progettato specificamente per essere utilizzato in ambiente conciario, notoriamente difficile. Ne ha sviluppato due modelli, uno per la marcatura di pelli grezze e uno per le pelli allo stadio wet blue/wet white. “Il nostro sistema utilizza un laser costruito appositamente per la conceria, quindi completamente stagno, raffreddato non ad aria ma a liquido, che può essere lavato con semplice getto d’acqua - spiegano dall’azienda veneta - Il dispositivo viene integrato nel processo in modo da identificare in maniera univoca ciascuna pelle senza rallentare la linea di produzione. Il software in dotazione consente di controllare la velocità e la profondità di marcatura”.

VIRTUAL REALITY ENTERS THE TANNERY WITH AS GREEN TECHNOLOGY

The Tuscan company has developed a product that offers an immersive experience

AN IMAGE CAPTURED BY THE VIRTUAL TOUR IN THE TANNERY UN’IMMAGINE CATTURATA DAL TOUR VIRTUALE IN CONCERIA

A virtual tour in the tannery to discover the technology and operation of innovative plants and machinery. A possibility offered at Simac Tanning Tech 2022 by AS Green Technology Srl, a Tuscan company specializing in technologies for the transport, conditioning and drying of hides, which at the Milan fair last September proposed this important novelty destined to mark a turning point. Wearing special optical visors, at the Tuscan company's booth visitors were in fact able to discover the latest technological innovations perfectly set in a virtual tannery meticulously recreated in all its departments. Digital spaces inside which one could walk around and take a closer look at the various plants represented in 3D. A real journey inside the tannery that thrilled operators visiting the leather area technology fair. "We are very proud to have been able to develop this augmented reality product to offer to customers," says Filippo Sani, founder of AS Green Technology. "Virtual reality offers an extraordinary immersive experience, which allows for a 360-degree experience of the entire manufacturing process, giving many useful insights to those who are looking for ways to optimize their business. Virtual reality is already a real opportunity in many areas, just think of applications in the medical and surgical fields. "It is a technology that will surely find many uses in our sector as well, and not only from a commercial point of view," says Sani. "We already have ideas for using it in the field of technical assistance and assembly of the implants themselves. Also important is the aspect of personnel training, for example, we are working on the creation of tutorials in various languages to instruct technicians on the correct use of the machines." AS Green Technology, based in the Tuscan tanning district, makes overhead conveyors, automatic loaders and drying systems for tanning processes. Its flagship technologies are overhead conveyors for the wet section with high-efficiency tunnels and conditioning and drying rooms, which offer minimal energy consumption and processing time, with maximum respect for the environment. In addition to virtual reality, AS Green Technology also exhibited at the fair the prototype of a new automatic unloader for hides and announced the setting up at its Montopoli in Val d'Arno (Pisa) site of a drying test room in order to further improve customer service.

LA REALTÀ VIRTUALE ENTRA IN CONCERIA CON AS GREEN TECHNOLOGY

L’azienda toscana ha sviluppato un prodotto che offre un’esperienza immersiva

Un tour virtuale in conceria per scoprire la tecnologia e il funzionamento di impianti e macchinari innovativi. Una possibilità offerta al Simac Tanning Tech 2022 da AS Green Technology Srl, azienda toscana specializzata nelle tecnologie per il trasporto, il condizionamento e l’essiccazione delle pelli, che alla fiera milanese dello scorso settembre ha proposto questa importante novità destinata a segnare una svolta. Indossando particolari visori ottici, nello stand dell’azienda toscana i visitatori hanno infatti potuto scoprire le ultime innovazioni tecnologiche perfettamente ambientate in una conceria virtuale ricreata meticolosamente in tutti i suoi reparti. Spazi digitali dentro ai quali si cammina e si possono guardare da vicino i vari impianti rappresentati in 3D. Un vero e proprio viaggio dentro la conceria che ha entusiasmato gli operatori in visita alla fiera della tecnologia per l’area pelle. “Siamo molto orgogliosi di essere riusciti a sviluppare questo prodotto di realtà aumentata da offrire ai clienti – racconta Filippo Sani, fondatore di AS Green Technology - La realtà virtuale offre un’esperienza immersiva straordinaria, che consente di vivere a 360° l’intero processo di lavorazione regalando molti spunti utili a chi sta cercando il modo di ottimizzare la propria attività”. La realtà virtuale rappresenta già un’opportunità concreta in molti ambiti, basti pensare alle applicazioni in ambito medico e chirurgico. “E’ una tecnologia che sicuramente troverà moltissimi impieghi anche nel nostro settore e non solo dal punto di vista commerciale – afferma Sani -. Noi abbiamo già delle idee per utilizzarla nel campo dell’assistenza tecnica e del montaggio degli impianti stessi. Importante anche l’aspetto della formazione del personale, ad esempio stiamo lavorando alla realizzazione di tutorial in varie lingue per istruire i tecnici sul corretto utilizzo delle macchine”. AS Green Technology, con sede nel distretto conciario toscano, realizza trasportatori aerei, caricatori automatici e sistemi di essiccazione per i processi conciari. Le sue tecnologie di punta sono i trasportatori aerei per il reparto umido con tunnel e stanze di condizionamento ed essiccazione ad alta efficienza, che offrono consumi energetici e tempi di lavorazione ridotti al minimo, nel massimo rispetto dell’ambiente. Oltre alla realtà virtuale, in fiera AS Green Technology ha esposto anche il prototipo di un nuovo scaricatore automatico per pelli ed annunciato l’allestimento nella sua sede di Montopoli in Val d’Arno (Pisa) di una sala prove per l’essiccazione allo scopo di migliorare ulteriormente il servizio al cliente.

BERGI'S CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGIES

The Veneto-based company's jewels include the Attiva buffing machine and the Starlux press

THE ATTIVA BUFFING MACHINE LA SMERIGLIATRICE A NASTRO ATTIVA

At the latest Tanning Tech, BERGI's booth housed a line of three machines with the Attiva through-feed belt buffing machine at the center, a plant created to process leathers that require a cold processing and high efficiency dust discharging. So it is ideal for vegetable-tanned leathers, greased leathers, automotive stuccoed splits, and even reel material. Among the main technical features, in addition to the unquestionably solid structure since all Bergi grinders are equipped with their own base, we count the large opening of both the upper protective casing and the leather introduction system, features that facilitate cleaning and maintenance, to the benefit of productivity. As well as all the latest models, Attiva is equipped with its own touch-screen display with internet connection both to facilitate possible remote assistance and for uploading recipes and working parameters. The buffing machine was paired with Ariosa, a 4-head through-feed dedusting machine that has recently been renewed in terms of its construction, particularly to facilitate cleaning and control operations without the need to disassemble it. A key machine in all those production stages that generate residues such as buffing and dry shaving. Installed at the exit of the deduster was Compact, a traditional stacker for depositing leathers on a pallet or stand in the S version optimized for small skins. Another focal point of the Bergi booth was the Starlux, the "queen" of rotary presses for continuous ironing, sandblasting and light embossing. This is an ideal machine for those who need to iron with pressure any kind of leather and soft leathers without compacting them, to process waxed leathers without changing their colours, to give an excellent glazing effect on the tops of the embossed leathers or shine the top of milled leathers. Presented at the fair was the SV combination model where S stands for soft (lighter, almost touch processing) and V for geometric variation in that thanks to an additional felt, it is possible to increase the contact time of the leather with the hot roller to optimize ironing or obtain a more defined leather print.

LE TECNOLOGIE DI PUNTA DI BERGI

Tra i gioielli dell’azienda veneta la smerigliatrice a nastro Attiva e la pressa Starlux

All’ultimo Tanning Tech lo stand Bergi ospitava una linea di tre macchine con al centro la smerigliatrice a nastro in continuo Attiva, una macchina nata per lavorare articoli che richiedono una lavorazione a freddo e uno scarico maggiore della polvere. Quindi ideale per pelli conciate al vegetale, pelli oliate, croste stuccate per automotive e anche materiale in bobina. Tra le principali caratteristiche tecniche, oltre alla struttura indiscutibilmente solida poiché tutte le smerigliatrici Bergi sono dotate di un proprio basamento, annoveriamo la grande apertura sia del carter di protezione superiore che del sistema di introduzione pelli, caratteristiche che agevolano la pulizia e la manutenzione, a tutto vantaggio della produttività. Così come tutti i modelli di ultima generazione, anche Attiva è dotata di un proprio display touch-screen con connessione internet sia per facilitare l’eventuale assistenza da remoto sia per l’uploading di ricette e parametri di lavoro. La smerigliatrice era abbinata ad Ariosa, una depolveratrice a 4 teste, una macchina recentemente rinnovata dal punto di vista costruttivo, in particolare per favorire gli interventi di pulizia e controllo senza la necessità di doverla smontare. Una macchina fondamentale in tutte quelle fasi produttive che generano residui come la smerigliatura e la rasatura a secco. In uscita dalla depolveratrice era installato Compact, uno stacker tradizionale per depositare le pelli su bancale o cavalletto nella versione S ottimizzata per pelli piccole. Un altro punto focale dello stand Bergi era rappresentato dalla Starlux, la “regina” delle presse rotative per stirare, satinare e stampare in continuo. Una macchina ideale per chi deve stirare a pressione qualsiasi tipo di pelle oppure pelli morbide senza compattarle, pelli cerate che siano uniformi nel colore, stirare a lucido pelli all’anilina o stirare le sole punte delle pelli stampate o lucidare la cresta delle pelli bottalate. In fiera è stato presentato il modello combinato SV dove S sta per soft (lavorazione più leggera, quasi a sfioramento) e V per variazione geometrica in quanto grazie ad un feltro aggiuntivo si riesce ad aumentare il tempo di contatto della pelle con il rullo caldo per ottimizzare la stiratura oppure ottenere una stampa della pelle più definita.

BAUCE'S SAMMYING MACHINE NOW HAS 4 BLADE CYLINDERS

The new system promotes increased leather yield and drying quality

THE THROUGH-FEED SETTING OUT AND SAMMYING MACHINE MVC-4S VERSUS DR EXHIBITED AT THE FAIR LA MESSA A VENTO IN CONTINUO MVC-4S VERSUS DR PRESENTATA IN FIERA

THE BAUCE RM BRAND TRADITIONAL SAMMYING MACHINE LA MESSA A VENTO TRADIZIONALE A MARCHIO BAUCE RM

Bauce presented some improvements to its through feed setting out and sammying machine for dyed leathers in the MVC-4S Versus DR version. A machine distinguished by doubling the number of blade cylinders from two to four. Specifically, the machine mounts 2 incoming blade cylinders and 2 outgoing blade cylinders plus 1 heated (or rubberized) cylinder. "A novelty that together with the new design of the blades allows for a 2-3% increase in leather opening compared to the standard two-cylinder version," explain from Bauce, a leading company in technologies for sammying and drying leather. "Another interesting result given by the double-cylinder system is a higher shine effect on the leather; in addition, the two output cylinders go to eliminate any marks left by the felt on the leather, offering a higher final quality." Also important to point out is that the new electric motorization enables significant savings in energy consumption (-20 percent) and also in maintenance and oil consumption (-75 percent). The machine carries the company brand ECOPROCESS, which marks the most sustainable models designed by the Veneto-based company, which also boasts Assomac's Green Plate certification in this area. Much interest at the Bauce stand was also generated by the Bauce RM brand line of machines. Officine RM is a historic brand in the sector that was taken over three years ago by Bauce, which moved its production inside its headquarters in Trissino (VI). "At Tanning Tech we exhibited a traditional manual sammying machine, which is ideal for tanneries that do not have high production." The Bauce RM sammying machine is a simple and robust machine but technologically up-to-date and in line with Industry 4.0 requirements.

LA MESSA A VENTO DI BAUCE ORA HA 4 CILINDRI A LAME

Il nuovo sistema favorisce l’incremento della resa della pelle e la qualità di asciugatura

Bauce ha presentato alcune migliorie della sua messa a vento in continuo per pelli tinte nella versione MVC-4S Versus DR. Una macchina che si distingue per il raddoppio dei cilindri a lame, che da due passano a quattro. Nello specifico la macchina monta 2 cilindri a lame in entrata e 2 cilindri a lame in uscita più 1 cilindro riscaldato (o gommato). “Una novità che insieme al nuovo design delle lame permette di ottenere un incremento dell’apertura della pelle del 2-3% rispetto alla versione standard a due cilindri” spiegano da Bauce, azienda leader nelle tecnologie per la pressatura e l’asciugatura delle pelli. “Un altro risultato interessante dato dal sistema a doppi cilindri è un effetto di maggior lucidità della pelle; inoltre, i due cilindri in uscita vanno ad eliminare eventuali segni lasciati dal feltro sulla superficie offrendo una qualità finale superiore”. Importante anche segnalare che la nuova motorizzazione elettrica consente un sensibile risparmio sui consumi energetici (-20%) ed anche sulla manutenzione e i consumi di olio (-75%). La macchina riporta il brand aziendale ECOPROCESS che contrassegna i modelli più sostenibili progettati dall’azienda veneta che in questo ambito vanta anche la certificazione Targa Verde di Assomac. Molto interesse allo stand Bauce ha suscitato anche la linea di macchine a marchio Bauce RM. Officine RM è un marchio storico del settore rilevato tre anni fa da Bauce che ne ha spostato la produzione all’interno del proprio quartier generale di Trissino (VI). “A Tanning Tech abbiamo esposto una messa a vento tradizionale manuale, ideale per concerie che non hanno una produzione elevata”. La messa a vento Bauce RM è una macchina semplice e robusta ma tecnologicamente aggiornata ed in linea con i requisiti di Industria 4.0.

STENI FOCUSES ON DIGITAL CONTROL OF LEATHER THICKNESS

New features for the Optima buffing machine, which is enhanced with two displays on the front panel

THE OPTIMA BUFFING MACHINE WITH THE TWO DISPLAYS AT THE ENDS OF THE FRONT PANEL LA SMERIGLIATRICE OPTIMA CON I DUE DISPLAY ALLE ESTREMITÀ DEL PANNELLO FRONTALE

At the trade show in Milan Steni unveiled an interesting enhancement involving the display of working thickness on its Optima buffing machine with a view to further production efficiency: two displays, convenient to the operator, show the working thickness set. “These displays represent a very useful additional support for the operator – explains Alberto Frigo of Steni – that avoids errors and facilitates a more homogeneous buffing over the entire surface of the leather” and continues “as a consequence there’s also a better durability of abrasive paper”. With the model Optima PLUS, in addition to the two displays, the working thickness is electronically controlled by means of gearmotors making this buffing machine even more developed and easier to use. Optima is a machine for continous buffing with a control panel which can be equipped with PLC with a touch screen terminal. Its heavy structure allows the use of thicker rollers that make it perform better and provide greater stability over time. In addition to buffing machines, the company, which is based in Arzignano (Vicenza), produces various useful equipment for the tanning processes such as dedusting machines, stackers, testing drums, trasport conveyor belts, polishing machines, scissor lifts and others. The strenghts that are recognized to Steni System by the international market are competence, seriousness and the constant research for solutions for the improvement of its machinery.

STENI PUNTA SUL CONTROLLO DIGITALE DELLO SPESSORE DELLA PELLE

Nuove funzionalità per la smerigliatrice Optima che si arricchisce di due display sul pannello frontale

In fiera a Milano Steni ha presentato un’interessante miglioria che riguarda la visualizzazione dello spessore di lavoro sulla sua macchina smerigliatrice Optima in un’ottica di ulteriore efficientamento produttivo: due display, comodi all’operatore, mostrano lo spessore di lavoro impostato. “Questi display rappresentano un supporto aggiuntivo molto utile per l’operatore - spiega Alberto Frigo di Steni - che evita errori di produzione e che agevola una smerigliatura più omogenea su tutta la superficie della pelle” ed aggiunge “tra i vantaggi che ne derivano c’è anche una maggior durabilità della carta abrasiva”. Con il modello Optima PLUS, oltre ai due display, lo spessore di lavoro viene controllato elettronicamente tramite motoriduttori rendendo questa smerigliatrice ancor più evoluta e di più facile gestione. Optima è una macchina per smerigliare in continuo con un quadro comandi che può essere dotato di PLC con terminale touch screen. La sua pesante struttura permette l’impiego di rulli di grosso spessore che la rendono più performante e che garantiscono maggiore stabilità nel tempo. Oltre alle smerigliatrici, l’azienda che ha sede ad Arzignano (Vicenza) produce diverse tipologie di impianti utili alle lavorazioni concerie come depolveratrici, impilatori, bottalini, tappeti di trasporto, politrici, sollevatori ed altre ancora. I punti di forza che il mercato internazionale riconosce a Steni System sono competenza, serietà e la costante ricerca di soluzioni per il miglioramento dei propri macchinari.

TODESCO INTRODUCES THE MICROP NEXT ECONOMIZER

The spray booth management system lasts over time and stands out for its precision and simplicity

Microp is the spray booth management system and chemical economizer. It comes from more than 40 years of experience Todesco has in manufacturing such systems. "Microp is the first economizer in the tanning industry based on an industrial PLC," explain from Todesco. "The special reading bar made up of Opto Module elements, communicates with the best-selling industrial PLCs readily available on the market. In this way Microp does not suffer from component obsolescence and spare parts are available anywhere in the world." The economizer developed by Todesco, a leading Italian company in the design and production of spraying lines and solutions for leather finishing, stands out for its precision and simplicity. Its peculiarity lies in the reading bar that operates directly above the leather, contrary to the technologies currently in use. A key detail that avoids any accumulation of dirt that could obscure the reading devices and would be a source of unnecessary and costly overspray. The breadth of Microp's reading spectrum also smoothly detects leathers with printed surfaces (reptiles, crocodile), with fluorescent and reflective colors, such as metallic paints. Another strength of Microp is a very clear and easy-to-understand user interface through which working parameters can be set and recipes can be created for each type of item.

TODESCO INTRODUCE L’ECONOMIZZATORE MICROP NEXT

Il sistema di gestione della cabina di spruzzatura che dura nel tempo si distingue per precisione e semplicità

Microp è il sistema per gestione della cabina di spruzzatura ed economizzatore di prodotti chimici. Nasce da un’esperienza di oltre 40 anni che Todesco vanta nella produzione di tali sistemi. “Microp è il primo economizzatore in ambito conciario basato su PLC industriale – spiegano da Todesco - La speciale barra di lettura costituita da elementi modulari Opto Module, comunica con i più venduti PLC industriali facilmente reperibili in commercio. In questo modo Microp non soffre di obsolescenza dei componenti ed i ricambi sono reperibili in ogni parte del mondo”. L’economizzatore sviluppato da Todesco, azienda italiana leader nella progettazione e produzione di linee di spruzzatura e soluzioni per la rifinizione della pelle, si distingue per precisione e semplicità. La sua particolarità risiede nella barra di lettura che opera direttamente sopra la pelle, contrariamente alle tecnologie attualmente in uso. Un dettaglio fondamentale che consente di evitare ogni accumulo di sporco che possa oscurare i dispositivi di lettura e che sarebbe fonte di un inutile e costoso overspray. L’ampiezza dello spettro di lettura di Microp rileva senza problemi anche le pelli con superfici stampate (rettili, coccodrillo), con colori fluorescenti e riflettenti, come ad esempio le vernici metallizzate. Un altro punto di forza di Microp è rappresentato da un’interfaccia utente molto chiara e di facile comprensione attraverso la quale è possibile impostare i parametri di lavoro e creare ricette per ogni tipo di articolo.

JDRUM, THE FIRST APP FOR THE TANNING INDUSTRY

Pajusco Tecnologie has developed an application that allows monitoring of all tannery operations

FROM A SIMPLE SMARTPHONE, ONE CAN CHECK THE PROCESSING STATUS OF EACH DRUM AND RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS OF ANY MALFUNCTIONS DA UN SEMPLICE SMARTPHONE SI PUÒ CONTROLLARE LO STATO DI LAVORAZIONE DI OGNI BOTTALE E RICEVERE NOTIFICHE DI EVENTUALI MALFUNZIONAMENTI

JDrum is the first APP developed specifically for the tannery, just launched on the market by Pajusco Tecnologie, a Veneto-based company specializing in the production of tannery drums and automation systems. "JDrum is a simple but at the same time revolutionary tool that allows you to monitor in real time from your smartphone or tablet all the operations of the machines (drums and others) by recording processing data," explain the company. An extremely important feature offered by the app (which works on both Android and iOS) is to prevent breakdowns and thus interruptions in production flows. "Through the app you receive real-time notifications of any anomalies and malfunctions so that you can intervene in a timely manner." Also very useful is the historical archive of production data that the app records up to two years in advance, an option that makes it possible to retrieve useful information at any time for checks and verifications and to obtain useful statistics. JDrum is, moreover, an achievement that does not come by accident. "This APP is the latest development in a path we have been on for a few years now to improve the maintenance and failure prevention aspect," they explain from Pajusco. "Last year we had introduced a predictive system of sensors and controls that cover both the mechanical and safety aspects. Now, with this application we take a new step on the road to prevention through further digitization of our plants, in line with the Industry 4.0 plan."

JDRUM, LA PRIMA APP PER IL SETTORE CONCIARIO

Pajusco Tecnologie ha sviluppato un’applicazione che consente di monitorare tutte le operazioni del bottale

JDrum è la prima APP sviluppata appositamente per la conceria, appena lanciata sul mercato da Pajusco Tecnologie, azienda veneta specializzata nella produzione di bottali e sistemi di automazione per conceria. “JDrum è uno strumento semplice ma allo stesso tempo rivoluzionario che consente di monitorare in tempo reale dal proprio smartphone o tablet tutte le operazioni delle macchine (bottali e non solo) registrando i dati di lavorazione” spiegano dall’azienda. Una funzionalità estremamente importante offerta dall’applicazione (che funziona sia su Android che iOS) è quella di prevenire i guasti e quindi le interruzioni dei flussi di produzione. “Attraverso la APP si ricevono notifiche in tempo reale di eventuali anomalie e malfunzionamenti in modo da poter intervenire in modo tempestivo”. Molto utile è anche l’archivio storico dei dati di produzione che la APP registra fino a due anni antecedenti, opzione che consente di recuperare in qualsiasi momento informazioni utili per controlli e verifiche ed ottenere utili statistiche. JDrum è un risultato che non arriva per caso. “Questa APP è l’ultimo sviluppo di un percorso che abbiamo intrapreso da qualche anno per migliorare l’aspetto della manutenzione e della prevenzione dei guasti – spiegano da Pajusco -. L’anno scorso avevamo introdotto un sistema predittivo di sensori e controlli che riguardano sia l’aspetto meccanico che la sicurezza. Ora, con questa applicazione, facciamo un nuovo passo avanti sulla strada della prevenzione attraverso un’ulteriore passaggio verso la totale digitalizzazione dei nostri impianti, in linea con il piano Industria 4.0”.

I-TECH: WE BRING EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS TO THE TANNERY

The company proposes a production efficiency solution for the leather finishing department

AN AUTONOMOUSLY GUIDED SHUTTLE FOR BINS HANDLING UNA NAVETTA A GUIDA AUTONOMA PER LA MOVIMENTAZIONE DEI CONTENITORI

Autonomously guided robotic shuttles for handling bins to different destination areas, automatic and self-cleaning dosing systems, and product storage, agitation and recirculation systems-all driven by software solutions that easily integrate with management systems already in use in tanneries. This is the revolution is of the leather finishing department proposed by I-Tech, a company based in Sassuolo (Modena, Italy) that is betting on the future of the tannery with 4.0 solutions that can improve the work environment and reduce waste. "The finishing department of tanneries is often a chaotic environment," explains Andrea Carandini, sales director. "Our mission is to identify and eliminate inefficiencies by introducing a more rational method of work that together with a series of automations leads to a radical reduction in costs, consumption and waste, as well as a significant improvement in the work environment”. The solution developed by I-Tech consists of two parts: one plant hardware and one integrated software. For each stage of production, state-of-the-art ad-hoc solutions have been designed to ensure a drastic reduction in raw material consumption and water consumption due to washing operations, as well as a net reduction in waste and discharge. Everything is controlled by the L.I.M.E.S. (Lean Industry Manufacturing Execution Software) software that interfaces with all the peripherals already inside the company, controlling and managing the level of efficiency of the entire production.

I-TECH: PORTIAMO EFFICIENZA E RISPARMIO IN CONCERIA

L’azienda propone una soluzione di efficientamento produttivo per il reparto di rifinizione delle pelli

Navette robotizzate a guida autonoma per la movimentazione dei contenitori alle diverse aree di destinazione, sistemi di dosaggio automatici ed autopulenti, sistemi di stoccaggio, agitazione e ricircolo dei prodotti: il tutto guidato da soluzioni software che si integrano facilmente ai sistemi gestionali già in uso nelle concerie. E’ la rivoluzione è del reparto rifinizione pelli proposta da I-Tech, azienda di Sassuolo (Modena) che scommette sul futuro della conceria con soluzioni 4.0 in grado di migliorare l’ambiente di lavoro e ridurre gli sprechi. “Il reparto rifinizione delle concerie è spesso un ambiente caotico - spiega Andrea Carandini, sales director -. La nostra mission è quella di identificare ed eliminare le inefficienze introducendo un metodo di lavoro più razionale che insieme ad una serie di automazioni porta ad un radicale abbattimento dei costi, dei consumi e dei rifiuti, oltre che ad un notevole miglioramento dell’ambiente di lavoro”. La soluzione sviluppata da I-Tech è costituita da due parti: una hardware impiantistica ed una software integrata. Per ogni fase della produzione sono state progettate soluzioni ad-hoc di ultima generazione per garantire una drastica riduzione dei consumi di materie prime e dei consumi idrici dovuti alle operazioni di lavaggio, così come una netta riduzione dei rifiuti e degli scarichi. Il tutto è controllato dal software L.I.M.E.S. (Lean Industry Manufacturing Execution Software) che va ad interfacciarsi con tutte le periferiche già interne all’azienda, controllando e gestendo il livello di efficientamento di tutta la produzione.

ESCOMAR EXPANDS ITS OFFER OF ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC SAMMYING MACHINES

Even smaller models will be able to be run by inverters, ensuring energy savings

ON DISPLAY AT TANNING TECH WAS THE HYDRAULIC PCR5 SAMMYING MACHINE A TANNING TECH È STATA ESPOSTA LA PRESSA PCR5 IDRAULICA

"Today all of our wet-blue sammying machines can also be supplied in an electro-hydraulic version. Therefore, the customer now has the opportunity to choose the type of power supply they prefer even on the smaller machines that were previously only hydraulic." This is an interesting opportunity that appeals to the European market where tanneries have sufficient technological expertise and almost always prefer this type of operation also as a matter of energy saving. Electro-hydraulic machines are in fact controlled by an inverter that adjusts current consumption depending on the "stress" of the machine, providing energy savings of 15 to 20 percent. "The time is now ripe to incorporate this difference in electronics, which is why we have introduced this variant on all models and no longer only on the PCR-e7, which is our top of the range." Of course, Escomar will continue to supply the hydraulic models to those who prefer them, for example, tanneries operating in hot, tropical climates "who often fear this type of machine because of the damage that excessive humidity can cause to the electronic boards." Returning to the most advanced sammying machine, the PCR-e7, is designed to process whole bovine hides thanks to its large size. In addition to the aforementioned energy savings, other important performances stand out in terms of drying-possible thanks to the three powerful independent pressure bridges controlled by the hydraulic unit-as well as working speed, low noise impact and an improved ironing system. This is complemented by modern software with a simple and intuitive interface that allows access to the various working functions even remotely. Focusing on quality and constant evolution has always been a strategy and an entrepreneurial choice for Escomar, which, thanks also to professionalism and expertise, has become a real point of reference for the national and international market.

ESCOMAR AMPLIA L’OFFERTA DI PRESSE ELETTRO-IDRAULICHE

Anche i modelli più piccoli potranno essere gestiti da inverter garantendo un risparmio energetico

“Oggi tutte le nostre presse per asciugare le pelli in wet-blue possono essere fornite anche nella versione elettro-idraulica. D’ora in avanti il cliente avrà pertanto la possibilità di scegliere il tipo di alimentazione che preferisce anche sulle macchine più piccole che prima erano soltanto idrauliche”. Un’opportunità interessante che piace in particolare al mercato europeo dove le concerie hanno sufficienti competenze tecnologiche e preferiscono quasi sempre questo tipo di funzionamento anche per il risparmio energetico che comporta. Le macchine elettro-idrauliche sono infatti gestite da un inverter che regola il consumo di corrente a seconda dello “stress” della macchina, garantendo un risparmio di energia dal 15 al 20%. “I tempi sono ormai maturi per recepire questa differenza di funzionamento ed è per questo che la offriamo su tutti i modelli e non più soltanto sulla PCR-e7, che rappresenta il nostro top di gamma”. Naturalmente Escomar continuerà a fornire i modelli idraulici a chi li preferisce, ad esempio le concerie che operano in climi caldi e tropicali “che spesso temono questo tipo di macchine per via dei danni che l’umidità eccessiva può causare alle schede elettroniche” come spiega l’azienda. Tornando alla pressa più evoluta, la PCR-e7 è stata concepita per lavorare pelli bovine intere grazie alle sue grandi dimensioni, oltre al già citato risparmio energetico, spiccano altre importanti performance in termini di asciugatura – possibile grazie ai tre potenti ponti di pressione indipendenti controllati dall’unità idraulica – come la velocità di lavoro, il basso impatto acustico ed un sistema di stiratura perfezionato. A completare il tutto, un moderno software ad interfaccia semplice e intuitiva che consente di accedere alle diverse funzioni di lavoro anche da remoto. Puntare sulla qualità e sulla costante evoluzione rappresenta da sempre una strategia e una scelta imprenditoriale per Escomar che, grazie anche a professionalità e competenza, è diventata un vero e proprio punto di riferimento per il mercato nazionale ed internazionale.

EL.PA. SERVICE PROPOSES THE "SPRAY AND DRY" LAB MACHINE

The F.L.L. automatic sampling Booth reproduces the entire finishing process ensuring great advantages

At the fair EL.PA. Service presented the F.L.L. (Finish Line Lab) automatic sampling Booth designed to meet the needs of chemical laboratories and leather prototyping companies. "This versatile and compact machine mimics the entire finishing process (spraying and drying) and is an automatic alternative to the manual spray booth. The advantages? It ensures precision and speed, as well as immediate savings in time and chemical product," owner Andrea Pegoraro tells us. The booth is made entirely of stainless steel and it is equipped with a single rotating arm, anchored to solid trolleys with linear axes, capable of reproducing all the movements of a normal spraying booth used in finishing departments (rotary movement, linear movement with crossing option, elliptical movement). Up to 3 guns can be installed on the rotating arm, where different products can be loaded thanks to the separate tanks located near the guns, allowing significant product savings and the ability to perform the 3 key steps (Base, Back and Fixative) in a single cycle, or in case of need to schedule the laboratory for specific processes Hides are dried using an industrial hot air drying system, placed on the same rotating arm where the guns are installed ("all in one" system). For the electronic management of the booth, a PLC equipped with the latest generation touch screen interface with integrated economizer is used, placed on a mobile arm outside the booth, where to manage and store all the samples with setup parameters (type of arm movement, suction power, atomization and color pressures, arm speed, conveyor belt speed, etc.) and eventually easily import them into an automatic spray booth in order to start production easily. "At the specific request of a customer we are working on a version with a 3400 work light to be able to process whole hides as well," Pegoraro concludes.

EL.PA. SERVICE PROPONE LA “SPRUZZA E ASCIUGA” DA LABORATORIO

La Cabina di campionatura automatica F.L.L. riproduce l'intero processo di rifinizione assicurando grandi vantaggi

In fiera EL.PA. Service ha presentato la Cabina di campionatura automatica F.L.L. (Finish Line Lab) progettata per soddisfare le esigenze di laboratori chimici e aziende di prototipazione della pelle. “Si tratta di una macchina versatile e compatta che riproduce l’intero processo di rifinitura (spruzzatura e asciugatura) e si propone come alternativa automatica alla cabina di verniciatura manuale. I vantaggi? Assicura precisione e velocità, oltre ad un risparmio immediato dei tempi di lavorazione e del prodotto chimico utilizzato” ci spiega il titolare Andrea Pegoraro. La cabina è realizzata completamente in acciaio inox ed è dotata di un unico braccio rotante, ancorato a solidi carrelli ad assi lineari, in grado di riprodurre tutti i movimenti di una normale cabina di spruzzatura utilizzata nei reparti di rifinizione (movimento rotativo, movimento lineare con opzione incrociatura, movimento ellittico). Sul braccio rotante è possibile installare sino a 3 pistole, dove è possibile caricare diversi prodotti grazie ai serbatoi separati posti in prossimità delle pistole, permettendo un notevole risparmio di prodotto e la possibilità di effettuare in un unico ciclo i 3 passaggi chiave della rifinizione (Base, Rimonta e Fissativo) o in caso di necessità di programmare il laboratorio per specifiche lavorazioni. L’asciugatura delle pelli avviene mediante l’utilizzo di un sistema di asciugatura industriale ad aria calda, posto sullo stesso braccio rotante ove sono installate le pistole (sistema “all in one”). Per la gestione elettronica della cabina viene utilizzato un PLC dotato d’interfaccia touch screen di ultima generazione con economizzatore integrato, posto su un braccio mobile all’esterno della cabina, dove gestire ed archiviare tutte le campionature con parametri di setup per poi poter importare facilmente le ricette in una cabina di verniciatura automatica. “Su specifica richiesta di un cliente stiamo lavorando ad una versione con luce lavoro da 3400 per poter rifinire anche le pelli intere” conclude Pegoraro.

THE OWNER OF EL.PA. SERVICE ANDREA PEGORARO (ON THE RIGHT) WITH GUIDO FRIZZARIN, HEAD OF THE ASIAN OFFICE, AT SIMAC TANNING TECH 2022 IL TITOLARE DI EL.PA. SERVICE ANDREA PEGORARO (A DESTRA) CON GUIDO FRIZZARIN, RESPONSABILE DELL’UFFICIO ASIATICO, AL SIMAC TANNING TECH 2022

ELPA

THE NEW STAR ANTARES ENTERS THE MOSCONI FIRMAMENT

New flesh splitting machine works without rubber roller thanks to a patented system

THE CONTROL PANEL OF THE SPLITTING MACHINE ANTARES IL PANNELLO COMANDI DELLA SPACCATRICE ANTARES

A new star has entered the firmament of Mosconi technologies. It is called Antares and it is the brand new flesh splitting machine with automatic introduction presented by the Veneto-based company at a trade show in Milan last September. "Antares is the result of years of research and development," explains Giovanni Gonella, Mosconi's sales manager, "it is a completely new machine compared to conventional splitting machines in particular because, thanks to an innovative patented system, it works without the traditional rubber roller, needle rollers and backs, which means eliminating one of the most felt problems, namely machine downtime due to the hide getting stuck in the rollers where it sometimes even remains marked. This solution is particularly advantageous for machines with automatic introduction where the operator cannot see if the rollers get dirty”. Another important feature that distinguishes the new splitting machine is the different system for introducing the hides, a function that is fulfilled here by means of a special "roller conveyor" that replaces the traditional mat and ensures, in addition to the advancement of the hide, its widening, which is a fundamental condition for a perfect split. "Another advantage comes from the reduction in maintenance time and costs since the belt has to go as close as possible to the blade in order to function and it happens to be cut with the consequent need to be replaced frequently. With our roller conveyor this no longer happens." A final aspect to emphasize, they point out from Mosconi, is the water savings because compared to traditional machines Antares consumes very little water. Machine management and axis control are performed through a numerical control system (CNC) with a touch screen interface. The machine is equipped with all the requirements of Industry 4.0 including telediagnostics as well as remote thickness control and adjustment.

LA NUOVA STELLA ANTARES ENTRA NEL FIRMAMENTO DI MOSCONI

La nuova spaccatrice in trippa lavora senza rullo di gomma grazie ad un sistema brevettato

Una nuova stella è entrata nel firmamento delle tecnologie Mosconi. Si chiama Antares ed è la nuovissima spaccatrice in trippa con introduzione automatica presentata dall’azienda veneta in fiera a Milano lo scorso settembre. “Antares è il risultato di anni di ricerche e sviluppo - spiega Giovanni Gonella, sales manager di Mosconi – si tratta di una macchina completamente nuova rispetto alle spaccatrici convenzionali in particolare perché, grazie ad un innovativo sistema brevettato, lavora senza il tradizionale rullo di gomma, i rullini e gli schienali, il che significa eliminare uno dei problemi più sentiti, ovvero il fermo macchina dovuto alla pelle che si incastra nei rullini dove talvolta rimane anche segnata. Questa soluzione è particolarmente vantaggiosa per le macchine con introduzione automatica dove l’operatore non può vedere se i rullini si sporcano”. Un’altra caratteristica importante che distingue la nuova spaccatrice è il diverso sistema di introduzione delle pelli, funzione che qui viene assolta tramite una speciale “rulliera” che sostituisce il tradizionale tappeto ed assicura, oltre l’avanzamento della pelle, il suo allargamento che è condizione fondamentale per una perfetta spaccatura. “Un altro vantaggio deriva dalla riduzione dei tempi e costi di manutenzione in quanto il tappeto per funzionare deve andare il più vicino possibile alla lama e capita che venga tagliato con la conseguente necessità di dover essere sostituito di frequente. Con la nostra rulliera ciò non accade più”. Un ultimo aspetto da sottolineare – fanno presente da Mosconi - è il risparmio idrico ottenuto perché rispetto alle macchine tradizionali Antares consuma pochissima acqua. La gestione della macchina e il controllo degli assi sono eseguiti attraverso un sistema a controllo numerico (CNC) con un’interfaccia touch screen. La macchina è dotata di tutti i requisiti richiesti da Industria 4.0 compresa la telediagnostica così come il controllo e la regolazione a distanza dello spessore.

SC COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE LAUNCHES THE PLATEPRESS 600 CP

A new embossing press with pallet changer that can greatly increase productivity

Embossing presses usually do not particularly shine in their productivity, but now SC Costruzioni Meccaniche srl has outfitted the PLATEPRESS 600 CP, equipped with a 2-pallet changeover system, which can greatly increase hourly output by overshadowing the downtime of loading/ unloading hides. Alternatively, each of the two operators unloads and loads hides onto its own pallet table while the other pallet table is printing. The machine is equipped with an intrinsically safe control PLC that manages the entire work cycle and the plate change phase. The oversized hydraulic system and air/oil heat exchanger allow for three-shift operation (24 hours/day). In addition to market-standard equipment, the machine boasts a number of innovative solutions aimed at operator safety and comfort, such as optoelectronic barriers, physical barriers with automatic descent, and side anti-intrusion guards. Ease and speed of operation are its special features.

Key Features

• High-strength steel supporting structure fully ultrasonically inspected. • Work surface mm 1370(front) x 800. Set-ups with other sizes are possible on request. • Large-diameter steel pressure cylinder. • Rapid low-pressure lifting by external cylinders with high lifting speed. • Hydraulic pump with digitized and programmable pressure control to limit energy consumption and oil heating. • Air/oil heat exchanger for temperature control of the hydraulic system. • Pneumatic clamping of the printing plate to facilitate quick change of the plate. • Heated top plate with temperature controlled on 3 independent zones. • Operator interface with 10" color touch-screen. • Provision for remote assistance on all machine functions. • Front hand and body protection device with optoelectronic barriers plus physical barrier with automatic descent.

SC COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE LANCIA LA PLATEPRESS 600 CP

Una nuova Pressa a stampare con cambio pallet in grado di aumentare notevolmente la produttività

Le presse a stampare, di solito, non sono particolarmente brillanti per la loro produttività, ma ora SC Costruzioni Meccaniche srl ha allestito la PLATEPRESS 600 CP, corredata di un sistema di cambio a 2 pallet, che consente di aumentare notevolmente la produzione oraria, ponendo in ombra i tempi morti di carico/ scarico delle pelli. Alternativamente, ciascuno dei due operatori scarica e carica le pelli sul proprio piano pallet, mentre l’altro piano pallet è in fase di stampa. La macchina è dotata di un PLC di controllo a sicurezza intrinseca che gestisce l’intero ciclo di lavoro e la fase di cambio piastra. L’impianto oleodinamico sovradimensionato e lo scambiatore di calore aria/olio permettono l’utilizzo su tre turni di lavoro (24 ore/giorno). La macchina, oltre alle dotazioni standard di mercato, vanta alcune soluzioni innovative, volte alla sicurezza e al confort dell’operatore, quali barriere optoelettroniche, barriere fisiche a discesa automatica, protezioni laterali antintrusione. La facilità e velocità di lavoro sono le sue peculiarità.

Caratteristiche salienti

• Struttura portante in acciaio ad alta resistenza interamente controllata con ultrasuoni. • Piano di lavoro mm 1370(fronte) x 800. Sono possibili allestimenti con altre misure a richiesta. • Cilindro di pressione a grande diametro in acciaio. • Sollevamento rapido a bassa pressione tramite cilindri esterni con elevata velocità di salita. • Pompa oleodinamica con controllo digitalizzato e programmabile della pressione per limitare il consumo energetico e il riscaldamento dell’olio. • Scambiatore di calore aria/olio per il controllo di temperatura dell’impianto oleodinamico. • Fissaggio pneumatico della piastra di stampa per agevolare il cambio rapido della stessa. • Piano superiore riscaldato con temperatura controllata su 3 zone indipendenti. • Interfaccia operatore con touch-screen 10" a colori. • Predisposizione per la teleassistenza su tutte le funzioni della macchina. • Dispositivo frontale di protezione mani e corpo con barriere optoelettroniche più barriera fisica a discesa automatica.

SC COSTRUZIONI MECCANICHE

FROM OMFAS STATE-OF-THE-ART AND CUSTOMIZED MACHINES

The Campania-based company has developed a connection interface for remote control from any device

THE AISI 304 STAINLESS STEEL DRUM IS EQUIPPED WITH A CONTROL PANEL WITH A 10" TOUCH SCREEN PLC IL BOTTALE IN ACCIAIO INOX AISI 304 È DOTATO DI QUADRO COMANDI CON PLC TOUCH SCREEN DI 10”

There are no standard solutions, OMFAS designs its tannery machines one different from the other. Polypropylene, wooden or stainless steel drums, manual spray booths with or without dryer, dusting machines, suction booths, mixers, leather stackers and many other equipment essential for tanning processes are produced at the Solofra (Avellino) site. Machines of which there are, of course, standard sizes but which the company very often designs and makes to measure using top-quality materials and components made in Italy. In addition to meeting the requirements of Industry 4.0, the new Omfas machines are equipped with software for remote control from any device: "We have developed a connection interface that allows you to control the entire process and check the progress of the machining also from smartphones" Andrea Ferrandino, a member of the third family generation of the company founded in 1954, tells us. Another winning feature of the Campania-based company, which exhibited for the first time at Simac Tanning Tech last September, is the attention to design and aesthetic as well as functional details of its equipment. "All our machines are delivered with custom graphics and logos, sometimes even backlit, with great visual impact" Ferrandino concludes.

DA OMFAS MACCHINE ALL’AVANGUARDIA E PERSONALIZZATE

L’azienda campana ha sviluppato un’interfaccia di connessione per il controllo a distanza da qualsiasi dispositivo

Non esistono soluzioni standard, OMFAS progetta le sue macchine per conceria una diversa dall’altra. Bottali in polipropilene, legno o acciaio inox, cabine spruzzo manuali con e senza essiccatoio, spolveratrici, cabine aspiranti, miscelatori, cavalletti poggia pelli e molte altre attrezzature indispensabili per le lavorazioni conciarie vengono prodotte nella sede di Solofra (Avellino). Macchine di cui esistono naturalmente le dimensioni standard ma che l’azienda progetta e realizza molto spesso su misura utilizzando materiali di prima qualità e componentistica made in Italy. Oltre a rispondere ai requisiti di Industria 4.0, le nuove macchine Omfas sono dotate di un software per il controllo a distanza da qualsiasi dispositivo: “Abbiamo sviluppato un’interfaccia di connessione che permette di controllare tutto il processo e verificare lo stato di avanzamento della lavorazione anche da smartphone” ci spiega Andrea Ferrandino, esponente della terza generazione della famiglia che guida l’azienda nata nel 1954. Un’altra caratteristica vincente dell’azienda campana, che per la prima volta ha esposto al Simac Tanning Tech lo scorso settembre, è l’attenzione al design e ai particolari estetici oltre che funzionali dei suoi impianti. “Tutte le nostre macchine vengono consegnate con grafiche e loghi personalizzati, talvolta anche retroilluminati, di grande impatto visivo” conclude Ferrandino.

ADOPTION OF GREEN INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY TO ACCELERATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AMONG MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Source: Journal of Innovation & Knowledge 7 (2022) 100231

Mohsin Shahzada, Ying Qua,*, Saif Ur Rehmanb, Abaid Ullah Zafarc

a School of Economics and Management, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, PR China b School of Professional Advancement, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan c Shenzhen-Audencia Business School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China

ABSTRACT

Recent advancements in green and innovative technologies have resulted in a number of innovations in manufacturing operations to accelerate sustainable development (SD). Despite several bene!ts of green innovation adoption (GIA), the adoption rate of these initiatives is still abysmal in manufacturing organisations. To !ll this gap, we have developed and validated the GIA model grounded on the uni!ed theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which compels organisations to implement these novel technologies. Data was collected through a survey of 516 respondents from Pakistani manufacturing industries and analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) and the arti!cial neural network (ANN) approach. The deliverables of SEM and ANN approaches demonstrated that all green integrated constructs of the research model, such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, social in”uence, facilitating conditions, and innovation cost, predict green behavioural intention (GBI). Besides, GBI was found to have a strong direct and mediating effect among integrated constructs towards GIA. In addition, the moderation of organisational size highlighted the differentiation among small, medium and large size enterprises. Additionally, ANN speci!es the robustness and relative importance of all integrated constructs, whereas green facilitating conditions have the highest relative importance value for GIA. The proposed integrated model offers novel insights for decision-makers and suggests various implications for adopting and implementing innovative green technologies to achieve SD objectives. © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. on behalf of Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

1. Introduction

From the beginning of the 21st century, the transition and expan- sion of Information Technology (IT) have brought disruptive changes to all aspects of human life; it has advanced the methods of inception, production, and delivery of products and services (Guo et al., 2020; Hilkenmeier et al., 2021). The recent rise of the inculcation of novel digital manufacturing technologies and precision equipment into these processes has opened new doors of innovation in the produc- tion and delivery process (Guo et al., 2022). These new technologies have contributed to higher quality and increased value, reducing time to development and market and facilitating green manufactur- ing (Forcadell et al., 2021; Han & Chen, 2021). As green manufactur- ing fully respects the environmental impact and resource efficiency in production. The main features of green technologies are system- atic, eco-prevention-focused, economic compliance, and enhanced effectiveness (Jansson, 2011; Skare & Riberio Soriano, 2021). During the last decade, sustainable development (SD) has gained substantial attention in the manufacturing industry due to increased awareness and perceived benefits for society of green technologies (Shahzad et al., 2020a). Innovation, being the most critical driver for growth, propels a business towards excellence and guarantees a competitive advan- tage; it also enhances environmental efficiency, thus gaining help in raising the social capital necessary for future developments (Cillo et al., 2019). More and more organisations have adopted green inno- vation (GI) as a key component of their stratagem to mitigate the negative consequences of traditional growth models (Guo et al., 2020; Jahanshahi et al., 2020). For instance, the Chinese government has already integrated GI in Constitution 2018, laying the ground- work to promote a green technology bank for supporting green tech- nology adoption (Hansen et al., 2018). Several nations have recently organised state-level financial institutions to promote SD and follow the “Green Industry Plan,” i.e., Japan and Canada (Guo et al., 2020). These institutions can leverage public-private partnerships (PPPs) to facilitate green infrastructure and technological innovation (Yang et al., 2016). Further, GI enables organisations to manufacture eco- friendly products by minimising resource utilisation and wastage to accomplish SD (Khan et al., 2021; Shin et al., 2022). Scholars such as Fernando et al. (2019) and Shahzad et al. (2020b) have recommended GI as a significant driver for SD by emphasising that green processes and green products provide similar value to consumers with minimal social and environmental impacts (Awan et al., 2020). After identify- ing the key benefits of GI, various stakeholders pressured for its adop- tion and implementation (Shahzad et al., 2022; Shahzad et al., 2020a). Though radical change is obligatory at the ecological, cultural, and social levels, organisations have to play their certain role in SD (Khan et al., 2021). However, green innovation adoption (GIA) faces signifi- cant challenges in achieving SD in manufacturing organisations due to various decision-making factors. With rising commodity prices and concerns regarding sustainable

sourcing, organisations may prefer to use the latest innovative and environment-friendly technologies to minimise waste and costs, which can be helpful in attaining competitive advantage (Ahn et al., 2016; Anser et al., 2020). However, there are no specific criteria for categorising green technology adoption globally (Skare & Riberio Sor- iano, 2021). There are still many concerns regarding adopting green and novel technologies, e.g. financial barriers, environmental policies, market demand, knowledge, and awareness (Awan et al., 2020; For- cadell et al., 2021; Guo et al., 2020). From a budgetary perspective, purchasing the necessary precision tools and expertise could signify a large proportion of organisational expenditure; therefore, organisa- tions must be confident about the feasibility of such investments (Guo et al., 2020). Green and environmental policies and initiatives are thought to increase corporate success only if implemented across the board, with confirmation and support by all partners. Research has demon- strated that a lack of customer engagement and recognition will lead to a loss of investment and resources (Li et al., 2020). More recently, Ahmad et al. (2021) identified that overdependence on coal energy is the primary source of hazardous emissions; improved energy effi- ciency can reduce it through green technological innovation and green initiatives. Therefore, it is critical for organisations to evaluate the social, economic and environmental aspects of green technolo- gies (Anser et al., 2020; Shahzad et al., 2021). Being the seventh most susceptible nation to climate change, Pakistan should seek sustain- able and green technological solutions (J. Lee et al., 2021); it is regarded as one of the least innovative countries with a poor ranking in Asia as well as in the world (Global Innovation Index, 2018). Due to poor air quality, the famous industrial city Lahore was declared the most polluted in the world recently. To overcome these environmen- tal problems and consider SD, the current leadership of Pakistan implemented stringent environmental laws to protect the environ- mental deterioration and tried to facilitate the organisations to lessen their dependency on fossil fuels and exploit renewable energy resources. As stringency in environmental strategies, environmental tax, and reduced hazardous emissions positively affects GI (Maa- soumi et al., 2020). However, resources of renewable energy are also limited. Research on developing nations such as Pakistan may offer clearer views of how GIA policies might control environmental destruction and transform eco-friendly goods that avoid environ- mental pollution and diminish industrial waste. Extant literature on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) identi- fied various factors, e.g. performance and effort expectancy, facilitat- ing conditions, and social influence, as the essential drivers influencing technology adoption (see Appendix A) (Jun et al., 2021; Venkatesh et al., 2003). After developing the UTAUT2 model, researchers also recognised the importance of hedonic motivation and innovation cost for green technology adoption (Ahn et al., 2016; Anser et al., 2020; Venkatesh et al., 2012). These attributes strongly affect green behavioural intention (GBI) (J. Lee et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2020). Although it can be argued that GIA is comparable to that of other technologies, several scholars endorse that the implementa- tion and conditions of different technologies will diverge signifi- cantly, resulting in variations in adoption factors depending on the technology type (Song et al., 2019; Tseng et al., 2018). Therefore, for a business to successfully introduce a green technological initiative into its operations, it must comprehend which factors will increase social acceptance among the stakeholders. Hence, there is a real need to critically investigate the implementation issues and adoption con- cerns by analysing these GIA challenges. The problems stated above and the literature gap compelled this investigation to ask these research questions:

• How do green decision-making factors impact green behavioural intention to adopt green innovation technologies? • Does green behavioural intention mediate the relations among integrated constructs and green innovation adoption? • How does the boundary factor of organisational size influence the relations of proposed constructs?

This research aims to provide various contributions to the litera- ture. This is the first study that offers multiple constructs of the UTAUT in the context of a green and sustainable environment. Previ- ously no any study employed these constructs in the context of green technologies adoption. Second, to gain a holistic understanding of the decision-making factors of UTAUT, the direct and indirect effects of these factors on both GBI and GIA were validated through structural equation modelling (SEM) and the artificial neural network (ANN) approach. These factors were considered critical indicators for tech- nological adoption (Xie et al., 2022; Venkatesh et al., 2012; Ahn et al., 2016). Existing studies reported inconclusive outcomes; by employ- ing novel SEM and ANN approaches current study provides a compre- hensive conclusion for GIA. Third, assessing the moderating role of organisational size was helpful in evaluating initial confidence in green technology characteristics. Larger organisations are more resourceful and have a greater probability of adopting green initia- tives and integrating technological changes more quickly. Lastly, this research provides several implications for a developing country such as Pakistan due to its vulnerability to global environmental changes and less coverage in prior literature; it demonstrates GIA’s relevance in routine manoeuvres and elucidates how organisations can advance their SD. The review of related literature is described in the following parts, followed by methodology, results, and conclusions, and finally, the study is concluded with future recommendations.

Literature review & hypotheses development

Green innovation

GI provides organisations with the chance to diminish their oper- ations’ adverse effects on the environment and guarantees a competi- tive advantage (Awan et al., 2020). It can facilitate the development of new manufacturing processes and products that are less injurious to the ecosystem and natural environment (Khan et al., 2021). GI is “the production, application or exploitation of a good, service, pro- cess, organisational structure or management or business method that is novel to the firm and results in a reduction of environmental risk” (Ma et al., 2018). The definition of GI has various forms, e.g. green technological innovation, which encompasses product and process innovation, and green non-technological innovation com- prising management innovation and organisational structure (Chang & Chen, 2013; Chen et al., 2006; Hilkenmeier et al., 2021). The former aims to assimilate various advanced and novel technologies that can improve the existing process and products to reduce energy con- sumption, prevent pollution and save natural resources (Fernando et al., 2019; Khan et al., 2021; Xie et al., 2022). It also alludes to pro- cess and product innovation. The latter encompasses adopting/ restructuring firms’ management strategies, i.e. environment, energy, quality management, green supply chain, and green marketing to minimise harmful environmental effects (Klein et al., 2021; Shu et al., 2016). Chen et al. (2006) describe GI as “hardware or software innovation that is related to green products or processes, including the innova- tion in technologies that are involved in energy saving, pollution pre- vention, waste recycling, green product designs, or corporate environmental management.” It is positioned as the main driver of long-term socio-economic progress. Several studies acknowledged the key factors that affect GI adoption, e.g. concerned stakeholders’

pressure, strategic orientation, organisational learning, knowledge management, absorptive capacity, and consumers’ demands (Awan et al., 2020; Dangelico, 2017; Klein et al., 2021; Shahzad et al., 2020a; Song et al., 2020). Further, organisational innovation is a driving force in enhancing industrial export, environmental performance, and, eventually, business excellence and SD (Li et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2019). In brief, GI inclines to improve competitiveness by developing innovative goods, processes, materials, and institutional frameworks.

Green innovation adoption and UTAUT

With increased environmental deterioration and climate change envisaged by rising hazardous emissions and pollution, global sus- tainable economy is certainly constrained (Khan et al., 2021). Green technologies and monitoring policies are imperative to regulate and encourage GIA (Li et al., 2020). GIA requires innovative organisational strategies to switch their classical and traditional means of produc- tion to novel and sustainable operations (Anser et al., 2020). Never- theless, transformation into sustainable operations remains difficult for organisations because multiple uncertainties and complexities are involved in the transformation procedure (Han & Chen, 2021). Different sectors have accepted and transformed their operations into green operations following SD indicators, e.g. environmental, social, and economic performance (Jahanshahi et al., 2020). GIA in businesses has also attracted experts’ and researchers’ attention (For- cadell et al., 2021; Han & Chen, 2021; Klein et al., 2021). Recently scholars have identified different barriers and enablers for GIA in manufacturing enterprises (Han & Chen, 2021). From prior literature, the adoption of green technology, or its acceptability, can be recapit- ulated as the extent of the possibility of an emerging novel technol- ogy being authorised by groups or individuals (Awan et al., 2020; Jahanshahi et al., 2020). Many scholars modelled the critical elements of technology adoption for better decision-making, which is further developed in the UTAUT model, and verified the rationality of their attributes (Venka- tesh et al., 2003). To anticipate technology adoption intention and usage of novel and innovative technologies, the UTAUT prolongs the TAM, the theory of reasoned action (TRA), diffusion of innovation the- ory, and a mirror of cognition theory (Zhao & Bacao, 2020). The UTAUT comprises four fundamental driving factors of intention and usage: performance and effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence (Venkatesh et al., 2003). Various studies inte- grated the UTAUT to explore behavioural intention to accept the lat- est technologies, stimulating its generalizability (Anser et al., 2020; Zhao & Bacao, 2020). The UTAUT framework is the foremost consoli- dated model, comprehensively describing technology adoption (Al- Saedi et al., 2020). This model was further studied by integrating others factors such as compatibleness expectancy, sustainable inno- vativeness, and environmentalism, in adopting green household technology (Ahn et al., 2016). Accordingly, knowledge of green prod- ucts influences users’ behaviour to care for the natural environment following the UTAUT model as knowledge influences all phases of the purchasing decision process (Hsu et al., 2017). Despite these four fundamental variables, Venkatesh et al. (2012) underlined the need to integrate more relevant prognosticator varia- bles to forecast behavioural intentions for the technology adoption perspective by modifying the UTAUT to provide a new predicting model, namely UTAUT2. This latest model has progressively been implemented for investigating multiple queries such as self-service technology, adoption of mobile technology, mobile banking and com- merce, online education, and online healthcare services (Huang & Kao, 2015). Hedonic motivation and cost of innovation are considered more important factors of UTAUT2, which are further integrated into the research framework of this study to emphasise efficacy and util- ity. Moreover, Ma et al. (2017) established that, compared to non- labelled items, the sustainable label reading behaviour of products increases the purchasing of sustainable and green products, while the increasing ecological cognisance among individuals (Chen, 2008) suggests that they are eager to pay a greater value for eco-friendly goods. Since this study’s primary aim is to discover the factors that influence GIA, the UTAUT2 model can offer better insights; therefore, it is employed as the research framework, as shown in Fig. 1.

Green performance expectancy (GPE)

Performance expectancy is a key variable of the UTAUT model, which influences behavioural intentions. It is “the degree to which an individual believes that using the system will help him or her to attain gains in job performance” (Venkatesh et al., 2003). It comprises four fundamental measures that gauge performance: perceived use- fulness, job fit, extrinsic motivation, and comparative edge (Huang & Kao, 2015). It is the most significant contributor to identify individual intention to accept new technology and satisfaction (Zhao & Bacao, 2020). Prior studies have certified that performance expectancy posi- tively and considerably affects adoption and continuing usage of the latest technologies, i.e., mobile banking. In the setting of this study, GPE may have a considerable impact on GBI, as various green factors such as supplier selection, procurement, industrial engineering and consumerism all have a considerable impact on green purchase inten-

tion (Anser et al., 2020). Recent studies specified that green product knowledge positively affects individual green behaviour (e.g. Hsu et al., 2017). Thus, the subsequent hypothesis is proposed:

H1: Green performance expectancy positively affects green behav- ioural intention.

Green effort expectancy (GEP)

Effort expectancy is one of the dominant constructs of UTAUT, described as “the degree of ease of use associated with the usage of a new technology or a technology product” (Huang & Kao, 2015). It is a comparable construct with ease or complexity of use (Zhao & Bacao, 2020); the latter are identified as the extent to which innovative technology is complex or easy to use and comprehend. The complex- ity of innovative technology may harm its adoption (Dangelico, 2017). It is expected that the larger the ease of use of innovative tech- nology, the lower the individual behavioural intention (Al-Saedi et al., 2020). Some research studies found that effort expectancy harms using novel technologies, i.e., internet banking and shopping online (Chopdar and Sivakumar, 2019). The latest studies identified that effort expectancy significantly affects innovative technologies’ utilisa- tion and satisfaction by employing and validating the UTAUT model (Anser et al., 2020; Shang & Wu, 2017). Further, for our study context, green product labelling enhances the individual green behaviour and intention to utilise sustainable and green products compared to non- labelled products (Ma et al., 2017). Accordingly, the subsequent hypothesis is proposed:

H2: Green effort expectancy positively affects green behavioural intention.

Green hedonic motivation (GHM)

Hedonic motivation, known as perceived enjoyment, refers to internal pleasure, fun, or satisfaction experienced using the latest innovative technology and articulates a key role in contributing to the UTAUT2 model (Tam et al., 2020). An individual with utilitarian motivation focuses on instrumental values, while one with hedonic motivation focuses on fun and pleasure (Wang et al., 2020). It has been demonstrated to be a more fundamental driver than other UTAUT components and a core estimator of behavioural intention (Venkatesh et al., 2012). Empirical research identified that hedonic motivation affects technology adoption both in individual and organ- isational contexts (Ashfaq et al., 2021; Huang & Kao, 2015). In the context of GHM, users’ hedonic motivation captures a vital role in predicting green buying behaviour (Choi & Johnson, 2019). Prior studies acknowledge that individuals’ thinking and green motivation incite their urge to purchase eco-friendly and green products (Ali et al., 2020). Motivation for adopting smart technologies is a perti- nent factor that affects individuals’ intentions to enhance their house- holds’ sustainability and sustainable consumption behaviour (Ahn et al., 2016). Furthermore, individuals’ novelty-seeking behaviour and green consumerism also impact green purchase intention (Anser et al., 2020; Choi & Johnson, 2019). Thus, subsequent to the above discussion, we posit the below hypothesis:

H3: Green hedonic motivation positively affects green behavioural intention.

Green social influence (GSI)

Social influence means that social networks incline individuals’ decisions since they frequently evaluate the ideas and opinions of others when deciding whether or not to espouse innovative technol- ogies (Anser et al., 2020). It is described as “the degree to which an individual perceives that important others believe he or she should use the new system” (Venkatesh et al., 2003). It denotes encompass- ing the individual decision-making process to accept innovative tech- nology affected by others’ opinions (Ashfaq et al., 2021; Dangelico, 2017). Social influence is also considered a subjective norm in TAM and social norms in TRA (Zhao & Bacao, 2020). Recent research identi- fied that social influence significantly influences the adoption of innovative technologies and behavioural intention at all points in time (Wang et al., 2020). In this research setting, prior studies identi- fied that social influence related to environmental conservation is the most influential element in predicting and adopting green technol- ogy (Ahn et al., 2016). Moreover, it helps shape individual behaviour towards green intentions and sustainable purchase decisions, e.g. purchasing unique biodegradable packaging and carrying bags (Choi & Johnson, 2019). The greater the social influence of green technology adoption, the greater the individual’s persistence in using it. As a result, the following hypothesis is advanced:

H4: Green social influence positively affects green behavioural intention.

Green facilitating conditions (GFC)

Facilitating conditions are the final and central element of the UTAUT model. Facilitating conditions are “the factors in an environ- ment that hinder or make an activity easier to perform for an individ- ual” (Venkatesh et al., 2003). Individual-level and group-level are the two forms of facilitating conditions. The former is about the individ- ual insight into environmental support; the latter is about organisa- tional support available for groups (Ahn et al., 2016). Without a comprehensive set of facilitating conditions, it is challenging to adopt and use the latest technology. However, it is rational in a green con- text since the facilitating conditions, e.g. training and guidance about innovative and green technology (software and hardware), persuade usage and GBI (Tariq et al., 2016). The prospective barriers to use can be eliminated or reduced significantly (Venkatesh et al., 2012). Prior literature identified that organisations’ employees would accept and adopt new technology when they received support and facilitating assistance (Tam et al., 2020). Nysveen and Pedersen (2016) identified that an individual with accession to a conducive series of facilitating conditions is expected to adapt and accept new technology. Wong (2013) suggested that adoption of green technologies enables organi- sations to reduce adverse ecological impact, facilitating SD outcomes. So, the following hypothesis is proposed:

H5: Green facilitating conditions positively affect green behavioural intention.

Green innovation cost (GIC)

Innovation cost is another of the most critical variables in the UTAUT2 model, as product cost significantly influences technology adoption (Tam et al., 2020). The price value is conventionally speci- fied as arbitration between cost and benefit analysis. When the advantages of adopting new technology are superior to the financial costs, the innovation cost shows positive results and positively influences adoption intention (Venkatesh et al., 2012). Besides, GI is not free; however, it is lucrative for organisations in the long run (Zailani et al., 2015). Prior research acknowledged that environmen- tal compliance is an extra financial burden and increases production costs instead of considering it an essential strategy to avert harmful ecological effects (Liu et al., 2021). However, the number of environ- mentally conscious consumers is rising; they prefer to use eco- friendly products (Chang & Chen, 2013). They desire innovative and green products and are determined to pay a greater price for green items (Chen, 2008). Further, Wei et al. (2018) stated that less environ- mental motivated consumers are likely to pay less for green products. However, highly environmental

motivated consumers are likely to pay high. Green processes and product innovation diminish adverse ecological impacts and enhance production efficiency and sustainable financial performance through cost and waste minimisation (Zailani et al., 2015). Prior studies show contradictory arguments regarding this relationship, so re-investigation of this relationship is indispens- able. Thus, the subsequent hypothesis is proposed:

H6: Green innovation cost positively affects green behavioural intention.

Green behavioural intention (GBI)

Psychologists and social scientists acknowledge that behavioural intentions always strongly affect actual behaviour (Straub, 2009; Zafar et al., 2020). Nevertheless, the prediction of actual behaviour is still challenging. Behavioural intention denotes “the degree to which a person has formulated conscious plans to perform or not perform some specified future behaviour(s)” (Huang & Kao, 2015). The prior researcher, Venkatesh et al. (2012) identified that behavioural inten- tion regarding technology adoption plays a magnificent role in actual technology adoption. Several researchers employ intention behav- iour as a surrogate of actual adoption behaviour (Karampournioti and Wiedmann, 2022; Zafar et al., 2020). GI is now growing a competitive strategy due to increasing environmental regulations and optimal sustainability outcomes. Further, GIA is a long-run effort that necessi- tates an organisation to create substantial developments in processes and products, which inevitably invoke environmental risks (Jahan- shahi et al., 2020; K. Lee et al., 2021). Larger organisations are ready to assimilate innovative technologies, capabilities, and external and internal environments; they are more likely to put potential risks beneath control (Albino et al., 2009). Thus, consistent with the under- lying theory and research model, we expect that GBI will substan- tially influence GIA. Hence, we propose the following hypothesis:

H7: Green behavioural intention positively affects green innovation adoption.

Mediating influence of GBI

This research seeks to determine whether GBI acts as a mediator among diverse decision-making factors of UTAUT and green innova- tion adoption. Behavioural intention focuses on the desire to actual usage or adoption; such desires can be dominant and irresistible; still, it does not basically ascertain the actions. Several studies provided the theoretical background and critical role of behaviour intentions for actual technology adoption (Ashfaq et al., 2021; Ifedayo et al., 2021; Venkatesh et al., 2012). Ifedayo et al. (2021) identified behav- iour intentions as a prognosticator of podcast technology acceptance in Nigeria directly and indirectly as well. Further, J. Lee et al. (2021) also acknowledged that eco-friendly behavioural intentions signifi- cantly influence the adoption decisions regarding electric vehicles. The previous scholars have extensively conferred how green thinking and motivation relate to green behaviour and adoption intention (Ali et al., 2020; Choi & Johnson, 2019). Moreover, Casey and Wilson- Evered (2012) also emphasise the key mediating role of behavioural intention among performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and trust in new technology. Therefore, based on the extant literature, we propose that GBI plays a mediating role among integrated constructs and GIA. Thus, the following hypotheses are proposed. Green behavioural intention mediates the relation among green performance expectancy (H8a), green effort expectancy (H8b), green hedonic motivation (H8c), green social influence (H8d), green facili- tating conditions (H8e), and green innovation cost (H8f) to green innovation adoption. Moderating influence of organisational size

Generally, the number of employees at any particular geographi- cal location is known as organisational size. Several researchers have identified that organisational characteristics have a higher propensity for the behavioural intention to adopt innovative technologies (Aibar-Guzma,n et al., 2022). Following previous studies, this research also considers organisational size as moderating variable (Ma et al., 2018; Shu et al., 2016). Lin and Ho (2008) emphasised that organisa- tional resources, including quality of resources and organisational size, further influence the adoption of new green technology. Further, Lin et al. (2020) highlighted that organisational resources signifi- cantly affect green technology adoption. More resourceful and larger organisations have higher chances of adopting and integrating technological changes into their operations, as this is a lengthy process and needs massive investment. Organisations can implement an advanced environmental strategy by adopting green technologies; when the organisation has higher resources and greater size, the adoption capacity of innovative technologies is higher. So, the follow- ing hypothesis is proposed:

H9: Organisational size significantly moderates the aforementioned relations towards green behavioural intention and green innova- tion adoption in confounding ways.

Research methodology

Measures

A questionnaire survey comprised of two portions was adopted to gather data. The first portion is associated with the demographic evi- dence of respondents and organisations (see Table 1). The second consists of different measures related to targeted variables. The employed instrument is adopted from prior studies with multiple validated and reliable items. All measurements were concluded fol- lowing the endorsements of a panel included of three professors and professionals to ensure face validity. GPE, GEE, GSI, GFC, and GBI were evaluated by four, four, three, five, and three items, respectively (Venkatesh et al., 2003); GHM, GIC, and GIA were assessed using four, four, and six items, respectively (Venkatesh et al., 2012). All items were answered on a seven-point Likert scale “1=strongly disagree” to “7=strongly agree”. Before conducting the formal survey, pilot testing was undertaken to ensure content validity, but few modifications were necessary to certify data validity and reliability.

Data collection

Analysis of this investigation was based on quantitative data col- lected via a questionnaire from various manufacturing industries in one of the emerging markets, i.e., Pakistan, between November 2021 and March 2022. The current government establishes stringent envi- ronmental regulations to reduce dependence on coal energy and shift manufacturing to renewable energy sources. However, renewable energy resources are also limited. So, it needs to take some corrective measures to promote green initiatives in the current challenging environment. Similarly, it faces various SD issues requiring vigorous green product development and process innovation (Awan et al., 2020). Therefore, Pakistan has been identi!ed as an appropriate context for evaluating our research hypotheses. The questionnaires were distributed online using Google docs and WhatsApp and of”inethrough personal visits including a cover letter illustrating the aim of this research and assuring respondents’ data con!dentiality. Due to the epidemic, we conveniently contacted upper,

middle, and frontlevel staff members to obtain higher responses from different manufacturing industries, including textiles and clothing, petroleum and chemicals, electronics and IT, food and beverages, metal manufacturing, and leather products. To enhance the response rate, reminders and follow-ups were sent to concerned respondents. These corporations were listed in the “Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)” and registered with the “Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).” 980 questionnaires were dispersed to 399 manufacturing units in Pakistan; we received 516 functional responses − a response rate of 52%. These respondents signify the organisation as a whole. Usually, in survey studies, scholars have a low response rate due to respondents’ busy schedules and non-access to the internet (Hair et al., 2017). Due to the pandemic, many employees were working from home and had easy access to the internet, so we had a higher response rate than usual. Also, a large sample leads to more precise estimation and results (Asiamah et al., 2017). The majority of respondents held supervisory positions, i.e., 45%, responsible for executing organisational strategies and implementing policies; 60% were male, and the majority were aged between 18 and 35. (see Table 1). The current research adopted a 10X rule for sample size as guided by Hair et al. (2017), which is “10 times the largest number of structural paths directed at a particular latent construct in a structural model”. The sample size was derived through G*Power software proposed by Prajapati et al. (2010) to ensure the sample’s adequacy for the research model. A set of power analyses revealed that our sample is suitable for further investigation.

Common-method bias variance

Common method bias (CMB) variance is speci!ed as “variance that is attributable to the measurement method rather than to the constructs the measures represent” (Cohen, 1988). It is argued to be a main concern in the questionnaire survey. Initially, CMB was estimated using Harman’s single factor, where the !rst factor has a cutoff value of less than 50% (i.e., 31.15%) (Harman, 1976). Besides, a more rigorous method for testing CMB vis full collinearity evaluation was also implemented (Kock, 2015). The resulting variance in”ation factor (VIF) values were less than 3.3 (Kock, 2015). These findings imply that CMB is unlikely to cause severe concern.

Results

PLS-SEM and ANN were utilised for this study, and the data were analysed by SmartPLS (ver. 3.2.8) and IBM SPSS statistics (ver. 25). PLS-SEM is highly recommended when an investigation is exploratory and intends to predict (Hair et al., 2017). Normal distribution is not a precondition of PLS-SEM compared to other methodologies, and it can work with a small sample. PLS-SEM has the potential to measure all causal relationships concurrently and can test a complex model without the removal of any model variable. These conditions are suitable for employing the PLS-SEM methodology (Hair et al., 2017). Besides, ANN is more robust and pro!cient in recognising both linear and non-linear relations and outperform classical regression investigations, e.g. multiple regression analyses (Sim et al., 2014). Though, it suffers from the shortcoming of a “black box” operation algorithm and is therefore not appropriate for testing hypotheses. Thus, we employed PLS-SEM for hypotheses testing and ANN for evaluating the relative importance of variables. Model is measured according to Hair et al. (2017) in two steps: (outer) measurement and (inner) structural model.

Analysis of measurement model

The construct reliability method (“Cronbach’s alpha (CA), rho_A, and composite reliability (CR)”) and validity (“discriminant and con- vergent validity”) was used to estimate the measurement model by following Hair et al. (2017). Referring to the results in Table 2, the CA score ranges from 0.741 to 0.841, whereas the figures of rho_A are in the range of 0.742 and 0.842, and the statistics of CR squeeze a range from 0.853 to 0.889. All statistics are greater than the threshold of 0.70; subsequently, the construct reliability is established (Cohen, 1988; Hair et al., 2017). The loading of factors and “Average Variance Extracted (AVE)” were assessed to determine the convergent validity (CV). These statistics were also larger than the threshold of 0.50, as Hair et al. (2017) advised. The resulting statistics authorised the CV of variables. Furthermore, the discriminant validity (DV) is affirmed using a traditional but vastly familiar approach (Fornell & Larcker, 1981) and a recent and latest approach heterotrait-monotrait (HTMT) ratio (Henseler et al., 2015). In the first approach, the square root of AVE should be larger than the correlation among targeted components. The second HTMT approach acclaims a cut-off value of 0.85 (Sarstedt et al., 2017). The findings in Tables 3 and 4 approve both criteria of DV.

Analysis of structural model

Following the validation of the outer model, the structural model was evaluated in order to test the hypotheses. To determine the rele- vance of the hypotheses, a bootstrapping approach was used (5000 resample). The findings of the model disclosed a significant and positive effect

of GPE (H1: beta value=0.182; p<0.001), GEE (H2: beta value=0.138; p<0.002), GHM (H3: beta value=0.154; p<0.001), GSI (H4: beta value=0.123; p<0.033), GFC (H5: beta value=0.212; p<0.001), and GIC (H6: beta value=0.157; p<0.001) on GBI which support the hypotheses H1 to H6 respectively. Furthermore, hypothesis H7 revealed a significant and positive influence of GBI on GIA (H7: beta value=0.247; p<0.000). The result of control variables revealed that these were insignificant. The overall outcomes of the hypotheses are provided in Table 5. Mediation analysis

The mediating impact of the GBI was evaluated by the series of steps (Nitzl et al., 2016). At !rst, this study inspected the indirect effect of the GPE, GEE, GHM, GSI, GFC, and GIC to GIA through GBI; and found a signi!cant effect of these variables with beta values 0.043, 0.033, 0.038, 0.031, 0.50, 0.037, respectively. In the next step, the direct effect of GPE, GEE, GHM, GSI, GFC, and GIC was measured without removing the mediator (GBI). A signi!cant positive outcome of these variables with beta values 0.182, 0.138, 0.154, 0.123, 0.212, and 0.157 were found respectively. The results are speci!ed in Table 5, which leads to partial mediation. Besides, this study noticed the sign of indirect and direct effects and found positive and in the same direction; therefore, it might be determined that the GBI has complementary partial mediation (Hair et al., 2017). Hence, H8a to H8f is fully supported.

Multi-group analysis for moderation

The moderation effects of organisational size were estimated through the multi-group analysis (MGA) technique. MGA assists in estimating the signi!cant difference among various groups in data for an identical model; predominantly when a categorical moderator is involved (Hair et al., 2017). As the organisational size is a categorical moderator, to assess its moderating effect, data were divided into three groups according to the number of employees (Less than 150-small, n=161), (151 to 250-medium, n=182), and (More than 250-Large, n=173). Results of MGA in Table 6 revealed a signi!cant difference in GIA levels observed among these three groups. In the case of smaller organisations, the effect of GEE, GSI, and GIC on GBI was insigni!cant. For medium-size organisations, the impact of GHM and GSI on GBI was insigni!cant, whereas for larger organisations, the effect of GSI on GBI was insigni!cant only, still it is signi!cant at 10% level of signi!cance. These results suggested that the propensity for GIA among these groups has

discrepancies (smaller to larger). Smaller organisations have limited resources and portfolios, so they have a low GI adoption level, unlike medium and large-size organisations. Hence, H9 is fully supported.

Goodness of “t (GOF) indexes

The model !t was established by a largely adequate method, i.e. “standardised root mean square residual” (SRMR), where the SRMR value should be less than 0.08 (Hair et al., 2017). The outcomes revealed the value of SRMR is 0.065, suggesting our model is quite well. Secondly, we also calculated GOF using the formula (GOF=√ (AVE xR2)) (Wetzels et al., 2009). In our model, the GOF is 0.429, demonstrating the model ful!ls the large criteria. Besides R2 (coefficient of determinants), F2 (effect size) and Q2 (predictive relevance) were also analysed. The resultant values were in good range and provided in Table 7. Robustness check through the arti”cial neural network (ANN) approach Following prior social scientists (Chavoshi & Hamidi, 2019; Zafar et al., 2021), this study also employed ANN to identify each variable’s relative importance and reinforce SEM results. Though the ANN has many types, the present study has employed one of the most common and renowned networks, i.e., the “multilayer perceptron” (MLP) (Zafar et al., 2021), to train the neural networks. ANNs usually include one input, more or one hidden layer, and one output layer, with no single rule for selecting the best values. The value of hidden layers is proportional to the problem’s intricacy (Sheela & Deepa, 2013). The importance of predictors was assessed in two steps. First, we provide seven signi!cant covariates as predicting variables (input layer), whereas GIA was applied as an output layer in the neural network. A sigmoid function was utilised to represent the activation function of neurons in both the hidden and output layers. Following prior researchers such as Zafar et al. (2021); Li!ebana-cabanillas et al. (2017), the ANN model was veri!ed by employing the number of hidden nodes from 1 to 10. To minimise over-!tting, we employed tenfold cross-validation, with 70% of the data employed to train the network model and 30% to test it. The neural network prediction accuracy was estimated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The !ndings revealed that the average RMSE for GIA was 0.1337 for training data and 0.1323 for testing data. The disparity in produced values is minor, indicating that the model used provides high accuracy (Leong et al., 2018). Outcomes are given in Table 8. A sensitivity analysis was executed to gauge the importance and normalised importance of integrated covariates in the ANN model. The importance of incorporated constructs was computed by averaging their generated values in ten networks for predicting the output. Further, the normalised importance represents the ratio of each input variable to the highest, indicating that GFC was the most important predictor for GIA with a 0.223 importance value, followed by GPE, GHM, GSI, GEE, GIC, and GBI, i.e., 0.215, 0.208, 0.177, 0.162, 0.161, and 0.128 respectively (see Table 9). The graphical representation of the average and relative importance of each construct were shown in Fig. 2. Some minor differences were observed in the ranking of variables, but GFC and GPE ranking is comparable in both analyses. The non-linear and non-compensatory design of ANN models and their higher level of prediction accuracy may explain these differences.

Discussion and research implications

Discussion on key findings

This study incorporates the UTAUT to advance the conceptual framework for estimating the in”uence of speci!ed decision-making factors on GIA − a previously relatively unexplored area. The empirical findings con!rmed that GPE and GEE positively affect GBI accepting H1 and H2. These results support preceding studies of Ahn et al. (2016); Anser et al. (2020) by emphasising the insinuation of adopting sus-

tainable and innovative technologies by UTAUT. The positive effects of these variables suggested that innovative green technology is easy to implement and enhances long-term performance in the current challenging business environment. Further, GHM and GSI positively impacted GBI, leading to our H3 and H4. Our results coin- cided with Ali et al. (2020); Wang et al. (2020). Prior researchers rec- ommend that green thinking and social influence shape individuals’ pleasure-seeking behaviour to purchase green products, ultimately conserving the environment. Ashfaq et al. (2021) also claim that social influence and hedonic motivation significantly influence inten- tion to use the latest technology. GFC most significantly affects GBI accepting H5, showing the out- come is congruent with Tariq et al. (2016). The results of their research accentuated that guidance and edification about innovative and green technology induce usage and GBI. Further, as internal stakeholders of the process, employees would only accept innovative technologies when they attained a particular level of technical sup- port and assistance (Shahzad et al., 2020a). The GIC also positively affected GBI, accepting H6. Our results contradict Tam et al. (2020). The probable cause for this deviation is perhaps that consumers are now more environmentally conscious, prefer to use eco-friendly products, and are willing to pay higher values (Liu et al., 2021). Adopting innovative technology does not personify additional costs for consumers; on the contrary, it can offer financial and non-finan- cial benefits. Furthermore, the acceptance of H7 shows a substantial positive effect of GBI on GIA as predicted by UTAUT and is broadly coherent with the results of Venkatesh et al. (2012). Several studies suggested that behavioural intention can be used as a surrogate for actual tech- nological adoption (Karampournioti & Wiedmann, 2022; Zafar et al., 2020). Thus, this study also predominantly evaluated the mediating effect of GBI as it instigates GIA. Our two-step mediation results show that GBI complementary partially mediates the integrated relation- ship towards GIA by accepting H8a to H8f. These results have also coincided with Ashfaq et al. (2021) and Ifedayo et al. (2021) in the broader context for technology adoption. Lastly, this study also conducted MGA to evaluate the moderating role of organisational size among integrated relations towards GBI and GIA. The findings are distinctive and captivating as organisational size moderated structural relationships differently by accepting H9. Not every organisation can accept technological changes in produc- tion operations; it is a long process and requires immense invest- ment/financial resources. Larger organisations can take advantage of economies of scale to adopt GI by increasing production levels. In a developing country like Pakistan, organisations do not have a special- ised product line; they have diversified product lines. If they happen to own a specialised product line, their GIA levels might be higher. These results provide adequate evidence that GIA is a long-run effort that obliges an organisation to create considerable development in processes and products, inevitably invoking environmental risks. Finally, the ANN’s overall findings support the relevance of integrated components. Sensitivity analy-

sis revealed that GFC and GPE have rel- atively the highest importance towards GIA as predicted by SEM. Thus, we should consider the significance of these variables for achieving GIA outcomes.

Theoretical implications

This research serves mainstream literature in a variety of areas. First, a technological adoption model based on UTAUT is validated, providing a new correlate to address the scarcity in the prior litera- ture in the field of GI. We believe this is the first research exploring GIA through diverse decision-making factors with green attributes, i.e., GPE, GEE, GHM, GSI, GFC, GIC, GBI in a novel way through SEM and ANN in developing nations, i.e. Pakistan. Second, this study divulged the direct impact of GPE, GEE, GHM, GSI, GFC, and GIC on GBI and, further on, GIA − a novel phenomenon not operationalised in green and sustainable innovation literature previously. Besides, this study also underpinned the key mediating role of GBI and devel- oped its complementary partial mediation, as behavioural intention reinforces actual technology adoption. The proliferation of ICT and digital manufacturing alters manufacturing processes and operations, significantly impacting GIA (Awan et al., 2020). Thus, our results demonstrate that the study of UTAUT for GIA is imperative in the cur- rent era of technology-based innovation. Third, this research measured the moderating role of organisa- tional size that facilitates the adoption levels of GI. The significant moderating results established that larger organisations promptly realised the importance of GI and effectively embraced SD agendas. This research evocatively contributes to the existing literature and offers a vital and comprehensive mechanism to promote green tech- nology innovation. Finally, combining the two methodologies (i.e., PLS-SEM and ANN) yields new intuitions and emphasises the rele- vance of all independent variables contributing to GIA independently. The findings indicate that ANN appears to be a more capable predic- tive model, shown by the low RMSEs of all ANN models for testing and training datasets (Leong et al., 2018; Lie,bana-cabanillas et al., 2017).

Practical implications

This study has several practical contributions which facilitate managers and policymakers. First, the findings emphasised the rele- vance of diverse decision-making factors based on the UTAUT model to enhance GIA, which educates practitioners and enables organisa- tions to achieve SD goals by promoting GI. Our work acknowledged that GIA is a helpful tool to persuade manufacturing organisations to consider and integrate innovative and cleaner production technolo- gies into their operations to reduce the environmental burden while deciding their strategic initiatives (Awan et al., 2020). GIA stimulates organisations to offer a sustainable production and consumption model to concerned stakeholders. Second, to reap the benefits of the SD plan 2030, developing econ- omies such as Pakistan must undertake GI to compete with devel- oped economies. By taking the example of China, they have achieved swift economic growth while undergoing severe resource exhaustion and ecological pollution (Zhu et al., 2010). There is growing pressure to invest in green technologies in these countries, and organisations are already burdened by emergency measures to stop environmental impact; one solution is adopting green technologies. For countries like Pakistan who are in developing mode, there is a possibility to learn from the practices of developed countries regarding environ- mental conservation. The government should promote and work effectively on a green business climate, i.e., “Punjab Green Develop- ment Program,” to assist organisations in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels and maximising the use of renewable energy (World Bank, 2018). That will increase ecological awareness among indus- tries and enhance economic growth. Besides, PPPs will also be helpful in providing the solution of advanced and green technologies at a lower cost. Third, organisations should provide favourable working condi- tions and encourage employees to acquire more advanced knowledge for specialised business operations (including supply chain integra- tion, innovation, and technology transfer) through education and training. Encountering software and hardware difficulties while using these innovative technologies can hinder the adoption of GI. Solving these difficulties is essential and needs top management and govern- mental support immediately. More investment should be allocated for the skill-building of employees regarding GIA, to help improve operational performance and profitability. Regular assistance can be offered through various means; technical consultants may offer ongoing product/service consultations to all stakeholders, and call centre services can provide prompt solutions to any problems.

Conclusion

The sustainable innovation debate is gaining momentum as numerous countries strive to achieve SD goals in the coming decade. This research has produced distinct outcomes that can be considered significant contributions to the mainstream literature. A comprehen- sive framework was presented in this research based on UTAUT model for influencing GIA in today’s challenging business environ- ments to improve SD. We used survey procedures to gather data from the manufacturing industries and employed SEM and ANN to validate our hypotheses and the relative importance of each variable. GIA made a substantial contribution by illuminating the significant relationships of GPE, GEE, GHM, GSI, GFC, and GIC to GBI and on GIA. Further, the illumination of the mediating role of GBI among these relations was also an imperative contribution. Besides, organisational size has a significant moderating effect on the ability to pursue GI dif- ferently among small, medium, and large organisations. The findings of ANN unveiled robustness by highlighting the relative importance of all consequential constructs towards GIA. These findings demon- strate deep insights to comprehend the role of critical green determi- nants that influence GIA, which aids organisations in succeeding in excellence and helping to achieve SD. Besides, the GI dream will never come true without adopting green practices and the latest innovative technologies. This study suggests several areas to be researched in the future. Due to a lack of resources, it used a cross-sectional technique; a longi- tudinal approach could provide better and more accurate results. This study was limited to a particular sector; in the future, scholars should broaden its scope to include other industries and geographies to ensure generalizability. Some machine learning techniques can also be used to forecast more accurate and reliable outcomes. Finally, this paradigm may be tested by including cultural and political factors; however, the findings may vary in other regions.

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