Polyurethane pioneer Fiorentini passes away

Saronno, Italy – Carlo Fiorentini, a former president of Cannon with many patents to his name, has passed away.

His inventions included the FPL mix head to dispense polyurethane into open moulds and CarDiO technology for continuously cast flexible PU foams with liquid carbon dioxide. There were many others. He was awarded the FSK Gold Medal, and inducted into the Hall of Fame of Polyurethanes by the American Alliance for the polyurethane industry.

Aside from technology, Fiorentini also had significant commercial successes. He joined Cannon as director of its Afros business in 1963, and six years later set up Cannon's first agency in Denmark in 1969. This was followed by expansion into the US in 1977, and Japan in 1982. The latter was a European first. 

He died on 3 March 2022 at the age of 91.

In a statement, Cannon said: 'Fiorentini was president of the Cannon Group for several decades. His innovative spirit and constant search for new solutions have inspired the group's research and development activities, which will continue with the same passion and determination in the future.'