Italy: Constant change

It’s no coincidence that the city center of Bergamo is called città alta —the upper city. Enthroned on a hill, this historical district, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooks the lower city. From the square fortified tower called Torre del Gombito (the second tower from the right) there’s a splendid view, high above the hustle and bustle in the narrow streets below. Protectosil^® from Evonik protects historic buildings like this one as well as modern new buildings.

Gigantic hams dangle from the ceiling above count­less varieties of salami and cheese: In this delicatessen, the Italians’ love of food is clearly expressed. It’s located in the heart of Bologna, the city where ragù alla Bolognese (authentically never served with spaghetti!) was born. Top-quality Parmesan is also sold here. Food labels are often printed on a carrier material that lands in the trash right after it’s been removed. Silicones from Evonik make it possible to use linerless labels that require no carrier material and thus generate less waste.

If you love to wear extravagant fashion, you’d be well advised to choose Italian brands—such as Gucci, as seen here in a new interpretation of classic loafers. The garment industry is an important economic sector in Italy. Milan in particular ranks as a center of the international fashion scene. In addition to creative design, high-performance materials also play a major role in the production of clothes in this category. For example, polyurethane foams in shoe soles provide ample support and wearing comfort. Evonik supplies additives that improve their characteristics—for a strong and confident stride, even in extravagant shoes.

Andrà tutto bene—All will be well: This sentence could be read everywhere in Italian cities in the spring of 2020—on house walls, in the streets, and on banners hanging from windows, like this one here in Rome. Italy was one of the first European countries to be struck by the oronavirus pandemic. People used the slogan “Andrà tutto bene” to encourage one another. Today people are taking heart, because more and more of them have been vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. The vaccine from BioNTech/Pfizer has been administered most often to date. Evonik is supplying important lipids for this mRNA-based vaccine, thus making sure that all will indeed be well.

It takes the pit crew only a few seconds to change the tires of a Ferrari racing car. Every move must be exactly right so that the car can be back on the racetrack as quickly as possible, cheered on by the tifosi who make the pilgrimage to the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. This year they’re hoping for a victory after a disappointing last season. More than any other racing class, Formula 1 represents precision and the highest safety standards. This is where Dynasylan® from Evonik comes into play: In the brake fluid of all Formula 1 racing cars, it ensures that even in extreme situations the drivers will have their cars under control.