Meet Gianluca Belotti

In the 'People of Stahl' series, we talk to colleagues from around the world about what they do, what makes them tick, and what our purpose – Touching lives, for a better world – means to them. Here, we meet Gianluca Belotti from Advanced Flexible Substrates, who develops solutions from materials you may never have thought possible.

How long have you been with Stahl? What first attracted you to the company? 

I joined Stahl in September 2022 to cover a new position in the company: leading the developments on innovative substrates.  

Stahl is a market leader and holds a strong reputation in the industry. Their vision on the potential of renewable feedstocks caught my interest immediately. By driving the use of renewable resources, we can reduce our dependence on fossil-based chemistry and benefit society and the environment. 

What is your role? Can you share an interesting fact about the work you do? 

I am the global manager for advanced flexible substrates. In my role, I make sure that Stahl can offer solutions using the most innovative materials. For example, I work with materials made from mushrooms, apple skins, bacteria and cultivated skin. In addition, I also design proteins using AI and produce polymers through fermentation. 

What is your favourite thing about working at Stahl, and what are the biggest challenges? 

Stahl has a positive, inclusive and innovative company culture: it's the ideal place to be if you want to make new things! In the company you'll find plenty of knowledge, capabilities, and trust. On the other hand, Stahl is a big company, so sometimes it can be a bit challenging to find what you are looking for. 

How does your work support Stahl’s purpose: Touching lives, for a better world? 

At its core, the development of novel substrates is an attempt to reduce waste, use fewer resources and create new, sustainable materials. These materials are used in a wide range of products, enabling our customers and their end users to reduce their footprints. 

Much of our recent product innovation has been focused on replacing fossil-based raw materials with renewables, to create low-impact products. This has resulted in ranges like Stahl NuVera®, Stahl Ympact® and Stahl Relca® Bio. 

If you were CEO of Stahl for the day, what would you do?

I would love to organise a big global event for our colleagues. Stahl is made up of incredible people, and you can really feel it when we get together. 

How do you spend your free time outside of work? 

I like to spend as much time outside as possible. This can be for activities such as hiking, climbing and cycling, but when I have time, I like to go to the seaside. 

Thanks for sharing your story, Gianluca! We are proud of our people who make a difference every day and strive for excellence together. Stay tuned for more 'People of Stahl' features!