RIR AIR FLIES TO GERMANY AND BRINGS 19 VENETO COMPANIES TO THE AIRBUS FINAL ASSEMBLY LINE AND ILA BERLIN 2026

A strategic opportunity to strengthen Veneto’s position within the international aerospace supply chain

On June 10–11, 2026, the Aerospace Innovation and Research Regional Innovative Network (RIR AIR) organized and led an institutional mission with a delegation of 28 participants representing 19 companies from the Veneto region, travelling between Hamburg and Berlin. The mission provided an exceptional opportunity to exclusively visit Airbus’ production facility in Finkenwerder and attend ILA Berlin 2026, two of the world’s premier events for the aerospace industry.

The 19 Veneto-based companies participating in the mission reflected the diversity and strength of the region’s aerospace ecosystem: VAutomation Srl, Lika Electronic, Extreme Analyses Engineering, DAVE Embedded Systems, Zoppas Industries Heating Element Technologies, AlTiColor S.r.l., Bluewind, C.S.C. Spa, ABWAY GMBH SRL, Benozzi Engineering, Isoclima Group, LOMEC S.r.l., DWave – Innovators in Space and IoT, Mecc-Tre Srl, Microtecnica Trevisana SRL, GUIZZO SPACE, Buson Srl, Ecor International, and RIR AIR.

These organizations operate across a wide range of fields, including embedded electronics and IoT systems, advanced materials and aircraft transparencies, industrial automation, thermal systems, and structural components, demonstrating the breadth of expertise developed in Veneto in support of the New Space Economy.

June 10 – Inside Airbus’ Finkenwerder Plant

The first day of the mission took place in Hamburg at Airbus’ Finkenwerder production facility, the leading European aircraft manufacturer and one of the two major global players in the commercial aviation sector.

Following an initial session of direct and privileged discussions with Airbus executives, participants were granted access to an experience rarely available to external visitors: an exclusive tour of the Final Assembly Line, where some of the world’s most advanced commercial aircraft are assembled. With an industrial footprint spanning France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and beyond, this behind-the-scenes immersion provided Veneto companies with a unique opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the technical, quality, and organizational requirements needed to become part of the supply chain of a top-tier aerospace manufacturer.onnections between companies, investors, research centers and institutions , fueling the development of the entire aerospace sector.

June 11 – ILA Berlin 2026: The Global Showcase for Aerospace

The second day took place at the Berlin ExpoCenter Airport, where the delegation visited ILA Berlin 2026, held from June 10 to 14. Participants were welcomed by local guide PierGoffredo Ronchi, Managing Director of the Official Berlin Trade Fair Delegation in Italy, who led a guided tour in Italian through the exhibition halls, highlighting the key trends shaping the global aerospace industry—from sustainable propulsion and urban air mobility to defense and space technologies.

A dedicated networking and matchmaking session was organized for the Veneto partners with qualified German counterparts. The initiative was promoted by WFBB (Economic Development Agency Brandenburg), BPWT (Brandenburg Prize for Technology Transfer and Innovation Network), and BBAA (Berlin-Brandenburg Aerospace Alliance).

The event provided an important opportunity to establish strategic connections with companies, research centers, and stakeholders from the Berlin-Brandenburg innovation ecosystem, fostering the development of potential technological, project-based, and commercial collaborations at the international level.

“The RIR AIR mission is part of a structured strategy aimed at supporting the internationalization and growth of the Veneto aerospace cluster. Bringing 19 regional companies into direct contact with Airbus—a global leader in commercial aviation—and with the leading international players present at ILA Berlin represents a tangible opportunity for growth, technological advancement, and the development of new business relationships.”
Federico Zoppas, President of RIR AIR.

RIR AIR is the Regional Innovative Network that brings together aerospace companies from the Veneto region with the objective of fostering innovation, industrial collaboration, and access to international markets. Its core activities include training, technology transfer, and institutional missions abroad, such as the one organized in Berlin.

RIR AIR and the Veneto Region take center stage at Aerospace & Defense Meetings Torino with 14 Partners

A delegation of 14 partners from the Veneto region represented the excellence of the regional aerospace ecosystem at one of the sector’s most prestigious international events.

From 2 to 4 December , RIR AIR proudly participated in Aerospace & Defense Meetings Torino, confirming once again its strategic role as a catalyst for expertise, innovation and industrial collaboration in the aerospace sector.

Together with its partners, RIR AIR animated the collective stand of the Regione Veneto, bringing to the Turin stage the solidity and dynamism of a territorial ecosystem that continues to grow and distinguish itself at a national and international level.

An event of global significance

The 2024 edition of Aerospace & Defense Meetings Turin confirmed its position as a global reference point for the aerospace industry, with numbers that demonstrate the event’s strategic importance:

• 900 companies from all over the world
• Over 3.000 attendees including exhibitors, OEM buyers, and institutional stakeholders
• Over 12,000 B2B meetings organized, a unique opportunity for networking and business development.
• Representation from over 35 countries , confirming the global dimension of the event
• 30 innovative startups , protagonists of cutting-edge technological innovation

These numbers highlight not only the international reach of the event, but above all its ability to generate concrete and lasting connections between companies, investors, research centers and institutions , fueling the development of the entire aerospace sector.

The Veneto network at the heart of innovation

The presence of RIR AIR and its 14 partners offered an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the industrial and technological excellence of the Veneto region, presenting innovative solutions across the entire aerospace supply chain and launching new commercial collaborations with international players.

The event provided the ideal setting for targeted B2B meetings with major industry companies, cutting-edge startups, and key institutions. The Veneto delegation held over 245 qualified meetings , laying the foundation for future strategic partnerships.

RIR AIR partners protagonists of the program

Participation in Aerospace & Defense Meetings Turin was not limited to the exhibition presence, but saw the RIR AIR partners actively involved in the conference program and thematic panels .

AIR – Veneto Aerospace Cluster: a regional model for innovation and industrial growth

December 3 | 4:20 PM – 4:50 PM

A panel discussion on the Veneto aerospace cluster’s experience as a case study in territorial development, featuring:

• Federico Zoppas – President, Veneto Aerospace Cluster – AIR
• Gino Bucciol – VP Business Development, Officina Stellare
• Gianpietro Marchiori – Member of the Board of Directors of RIR AIR and President, EIE Group
• Liviana Forza – Member of the RIR AIR Board of Directors and CEO, Isoclima
• Carlo Bettanini – Coordinator of the RIR AIR Scientific Committee and Associate Professor, University of Padua
• Michele Peterle – Cluster Manager RIR AIR

Opening Space for Textiles: Building a Roadmap for Cross-Sector Synergies Together

December 3 | 9:40 AM – 10:10 AM

A strategic discussion on the potential of collaborations between space, advanced materials, and technical textiles, with the participation of:

• Cristina Leone (Moderator) – President, CTNA
• Mauro Sampellegrini – Innovation Manager, Confindustria Moda – TexClubTec
• Stefano Carosio – ESA Technology Broker for Italy, STAM Srl

Roundtable: Considerations for a Long-Term Human Presence on the Moon

December 4 | 3:10 PM – 4:15 PM

A look at the future of space exploration and the lunar economy, as part of the Lunar Economy Summit 2025, moderated by New Horizons’ Sasha Gallio.

Participation in the Aerospace & Defense Meetings Turin further strengthens RIR AIR’s role as a strategic enabler of relationships, expertise, and opportunities for network companies, contributing to the competitive development of the Veneto aerospace industry in the international context.

A heartfelt thank you to all our 14 exhibiting partners and 9 visitors for their continued support and shared commitment to excellence:

Alca Technology Srl, Benozzi Engineering, Berkem, Cisas Giuseppe Colombo, Compositex, Ecor Sky, Isoclima Group, LOMEC s.r.l., Maroso Srl, New Horizon, QASCOM, Spaceflux, VAutomation srl, Zoppas Industries, Heating Element Technologies, CAREL, SAEN SRL, SAC Serigrafia srl, Strumenti Scientifici CINEL S.r.l., Officina Stellare S.p.A, Buson srl, Anodica Trevigiana S.p.a., Mecc-Tre srl.

The event also saw the participation of ESA BIC Padua, further confirming the strong link between innovation, startups and European programmes supporting technological development in the aerospace sector.

To learn more about the event and stay updated on the next edition:
https://torino.bciaerospace.com/

RIR AIR Plenary Assembly on November 25: over 70 participants shaping the future of aerospace in Veneto

On November 25, 2025 , the Plenary Assembly of RIR AIR Members took place at the MOVE Hotels Venezia Nord , a strategic event that brought together over 70 participants , including Partners and external guests, to discuss the prospects and challenges of aerospace innovation in the Veneto region.

A key moment of discussion between RIR AIR Partners

The first part of the Assembly , reserved for Partners, represented an important opportunity for sharing and planning. During the meeting, the following were presented:

• the report of the activities carried out in 2025 ;
• the guidelines and strategic plans for 2026 ;
• updates on ongoing projects ;
  discussion and approval of agenda items.

A constructive discussion that strengthened the cluster’s shared vision and coordination between businesses, research institutions, and institutions.

High-profile interventions in the session open to external guests

The second part of the event , open to external speakers, enriched the Assembly with highly valuable contributions on key topics for the space and aerospace sector:

Insurance for space missions

Tommaso Nicolò Becich (Marsh Italy) explored the topic of insurance coverage for space missions , highlighting risks, opportunities and solutions dedicated to a rapidly evolving sector.

Financial instruments for innovation

Marco Cavasin, Director of the Corporate and Extraordinary Finance Area of CentroMarca Banca, illustrated the financing opportunities for innovative companies , with a specific focus on the aerospace and space economy sector.

Synergies between the Government and the space industry

Marco Florissi, Lieutenant Colonel at the Space and Aerospace Policy Support Unit, presented the synergies between the Government and Axiom Space, offering a strategic vision on the role of public-private collaboration in the development of the sector.

A heartfelt thank you to all the participants and speakers , whose contributions made the Assembly a truly valuable moment, strengthening the shared path towards the future of regional aerospace.

SATCO: Reconfigurable Cognitive Satellite Project Advances Successfully

The SATellite COgnitivo Reconfigurabile (SATCO) project has reached an important milestone with the completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) , paving the way for the development of the first reconfigurable cognitive satellite designed in Veneto.

The PDR took place at Officina Stellare, which hosted the project partners: Qascom, Stellar Project, T4i Technology for Propulsion and Innovation, Zoppas Industries Heating Element Technologies, Dwave, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, CISAS Giuseppe Colombo and Università degli Studi di Padova. The meeting allowed for the sharing and evaluation of the technologies developed by the various partners, laying the foundation for the preliminary design of the SATCO satellite.

The satellite, designed to adapt to the needs of the mission, will be able to:

• Observing the Earth through photometric measurements;
• Monitor RF signals from space;
• Conduct surveillance on specific events;
• Support disaster relief operations.

The next step of the project will be to consolidate the technologies and develop a testbed to simulate realistic operational scenarios, bringing SATCO ever closer to its concrete implementation phase.

The SATCO project represents a virtuous example of collaboration between universities, industry, and research centers to bring innovation to the Italian and international space sector.

RIR AIR and Veneto Companies take center stage at the Space Economy Day

On Friday 3 October 2025, the training day “Space: visions and enterprises of a future without borders – Industry and skills for the aerospace economy” took place at Infinite Area in Montebelluna, promoted by the ODCEC Treviso as part of the Triveneto Days.

A day of discussion and in-depth analysis dedicated to the space economy and the strategic role of Northeastern Italy’s expertise and businesses in the aerospace sector.

The contribution and vision of President Federico Zoppas and RIR AIR

Among the speakers was Federico Zoppas, President of the Regional Innovative Network AIR – Aerospace Innovation and Research and Group Managing Director of Zoppas Industries , who spoke about the value of a regional ecosystem capable of connecting research, industry, and innovation. A productive fabric that, thanks to an advanced supply chain and dual-use technologies, is able to look to space and transform these experiences into concrete opportunities for the region and for everyday life.

“Companies in Orbit” Panel: Tri-Veneto Excellence

RIR AIR ‘s participation as a partner highlighted the central role of Veneto-based companies already playing a leading role in the aerospace industry. The “Companies in Orbit” panel featured outstanding companies such as:

• Giampaolo Marchiori, President of EIE Group
• Federica Fistarollo, Co-founder and managing director of Stellar Project
• Lucia Toson, Chief Executive Officer of AlTiColor
• Alessandro Pozzobon, Administrator of Qascom

An event that was able to combine vision, skills and professionalism, strengthening the link between industrial innovation and strategic consultancy, and confirming that space is no longer just a dream, but a real opportunity for businesses and professionals in our area.

For more information: www.commercialistideltriveneto.org

Attachments: Programma

Photo credits: Andrea Boaretto

Ten Years of S3: RIR AIR at the Heart of Veneto Aerospace Innovation

“Ten Years of Smart Regional Specialization” event in Padua: results, challenges, and prospects for Regional Innovation Networks.

On Friday, September 12, 2025, the University of Padua hosted the event “Ten Years of Regional Smart Specialization”, a day of discussion on the results and prospects of the S3 strategy in Veneto. Among the participants was RIR AIR , which brings together 103 partners and currently represents the heart of aerospace innovation in the region.

Since 2014, the Smart Specialization Strategy (S3) has guided the Veneto region in focusing resources and investments on key areas of innovation. Over the past ten years, a virtuous collaboration between universities, businesses, and institutions has been consolidated, fostering the growth of strategic sectors and the creation of Regional Innovation Networks (RIR) , which are now key tools for technology transfer and competitiveness.

The event at Palazzo del Bo

The day was divided into two distinct parts. During the morning session , starting at 9:00 a.m., some of the region’s leading institutional and academic figures spoke. After greetings from the Regional Councillor for Economic Development, Roberto Marcato , the Rector of the University of Padua, Daniela Mapelli , the Rector of Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Tiziana Lippiello , the Rector of IUAV University, Benno Albrecht , and the Pro-Rector of the University of Verona, Diego Begalli , the proceedings were opened by Dominique Foray , Professor Emeritus at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, one of the founders of the S3 strategy in Europe.

This was followed by presentations by Luciano Gamberini , full professor at the University of Padua, and Emanuela Lucchini , vice president of Confindustria Veneto, who discussed the model of collaboration between universities and businesses. The morning continued with the presentation of the book “The New Innovative Development Model of the Veneto. The Intelligent Specialization Strategy ,” edited by Santo Romano (Veneto Region) and Alessandro Minello (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice).

A roundtable discussion moderated by Dario Pellizzon followed , with contributions from prominent representatives of the business and academic worlds: Federico Zoppas (Zoppas Industries Heating Element Technologies, President of RIR AIR), Rita Steffanutto (Veneto Region), Valentina Beghetto (Veneto Green Cluster), Alberto Zanatta (Tecnica Group, ITS Digital Academy), Mauro Fanin (Cereal Docks, RIBES-Nest), and Franco Bonollo (University of Padua, iNEST Consortium). The session concluded with a light networking lunch at Caffè Pedrocchi.

In the afternoon, the meeting moved to the Nievo Hall, with a session dedicated to the role and projects of Regional Innovation Networks, offering a concrete look at the future prospects of the S3 ecosystem.

RIR AIR: Innovation soars high

In the afternoon, attention focused on RIR , with the presentation of concrete projects and innovative perspectives. These networks demonstrate how cross-sector collaboration is essential for generating value and strengthening the competitiveness of Veneto companies in international markets.

With its 103 partners , RIR AIR represents the Veneto aerospace network, capable of uniting companies, research centers, and universities in high-tech projects. Thanks to the work of President Federico Zoppas and Cluster Manager Michele Peterle , the network is pursuing initiatives ranging from applied research to technology transfer, with a strong focus on internationalization .

Indeed, RIR AIR promotes the exchange of expertise, access to foreign markets, and Veneto’s integration into the global New Space Economy . This approach allows the regional aerospace sector to strengthen its competitiveness and attract investment, consolidating Veneto’s role as a strategic hub for international innovation.

With the contribution of RIR AIR, the Veneto aerospace sector confirms its position as a strategic sector, ready to drive innovation , sustainability and global growth .