Smog-eating sculpture makes Milan Expo sneak peek

Light-sensitive, marble-like cement to be used in Italy pavilion

(By Emily Backus) (ANSA) - Rome, April 11 - A six-metre sculptural installation made from a new, biodynamic "smog-eating" cement at the University of Milan this week gave viewers a glimpse of the Italy pavilion planned for the landmark centrepiece of Milan Expo 2015, the food-themed Universal Exposition that will take place in Milan next year.

The sculpture 'ENtreePIC' is a synthesis of 15th-century Milanese Renaissance architecture and contemporary design, evoking a branching plant-like system. It was created with vanguard materials and technology developed by Italcementi and Styl-Comp Group, who are partners in the construction of Milan Expo 2015's Italy pavilion with Nemesi & Partners.

ENtreePIC is one of the hundreds of exhibits and events that make up the FuoriSalone, or unofficial furniture fair that is taking place throughout the city of Milan April 8-13 to coincide with the 53rd annual Salone del Mobile, or international furniture fair in Milan's Rho Pero fairgrounds. The material developed and produced by Italian construction company Italcementi will cover the outside of the mosaic, branched forest-like edifice of the Italy pavilion for Milan Expo 2015. The entire external surface and part of the interiors of the Italy pavilion designed by Nemesi & Partners will be made up of the light-reactive cement that has the appearance and touch of marble, but is made with 80% recycled materials. Italcementi's patented active ingredient Tx Active reacts with sunlight to allow the capture of various air pollutants, helping to rid the air of smog.

The material is also fluid enough to permit the creation of complex forms like the panels required to erect the Italy pavilion. Expo 2015 will be an opportunity to "test" biodynamic cement, just as Italcementi's "transparent cement" called i.light, with its special system of tiny holes to let natural light infiltrate walls, was put to the test as part of the Italian pavilion in Shanghai Expo 2010, said Enrico Borgarello, director of research and innovation at Italcementi, at a Milan presentation of EntreePIC. Borgarello added that 5.3% of its 2013 turnover of 4.8 billion euros comes from innovative products, a figure likely to grow. "The tradition of research and innovation of the group is such that we have moved in recent years to increase the sales of innovative products and we aim to grow again," said Borgarello. "The i.light conquered a niche market for premium architecture in markets like Arab (countries)," Borgarello explained, adding that biodynamic cement "could have a superior development to i.light because it is easier to use". The Universal Exposition, which takes place next year from May 31 to October 31, is themed "Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life", tackling issues such as food security, hunger, and promoting environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable global food-production practices.

Italy Pavilion Commissioner Diane Bracco called Milan Expo 2015 "a great opportunity for relaunching Italy, which will allow our country to make the most of our large number of manufacturing points of strength".

So far there are a total of 147 countries and other participants set to put their best on display at the World's Fair, which will cover an area of more than 100 hectares near Milan's massive Rho Pero trade fair exhibition centre.

The fair is also set to animate the city with related events and initiatives modeled after the FuoriSalone of the highly successful international furniture fair, which attracted more than 300,000 visitors to Milan last year.