Matilde Vicenzi Research and Development

The Vicenzi Group prides itself on promoting the Italian tradition of confectionery throughout the world, making every bite sweet and delightful.

This is why, in their Verona laboratories, the lively R&D department is constantly proposing new products in line with consumer trends and developments in each country, introducing new flavours and portions to suit to all tastes and needs.

Product innovation

For example, so that consumers with special dietary needs can appreciate the taste of Italian confectionery, in 2017 Vicenzi created a number of lactose- and gluten-free products, in compliance with the standards prescribed by the European Union and guaranteed by Italian Celiac Disease Association (AIC) certification.

Years of research and development have made it possible to create products with an excellent sensory profile: consumers are not missing out on the “classic” recipe in any way.

Then, between 2017 and the beginning of 2018, the Group’s offer was enriched with gluten-free Grisbì, gluten-free Vicenzovo, gluten-free soft Amaretto and lactose-free Millefoglie di Matilde puff pastries: products that immediately enjoyed enormous success through word-of-mouth and sales within the coeliac or gluten-intolerant community.

Increasingly sustainable packaging

Vicenzi Group has always paid particular attention to packaging: the innovation process aims to reduce environmental impact, while ensuring that the organoleptic properties of the products are maintained. The designs for Vicenzi packaging are based on the following principles:

Prioritising, where possible, the use of recycled raw materials;
Promoting the use of monomaterials in order to increase the recyclability of packaging through the reduction (where possible) of multi-materials.
Reducing over-packaging to cut down on consumption of packaging material.

Currently, the packaging for the Group's products consists mainly of paper and cardboard cases, plastic trays and tinplate packaging. In 2019, 70% of the material used for packaging was paper, while 22% was plastic.

Paper and cardboard

70% recycled cardboard
30% virgin cardboard

Plastic

80% PET*
20% polystyrene

*Transparent packaging: 90% recycled materials

*Brown packaging: 70% recycled materials

Over the last three years, Vicenzi has carried out several important projects that have reduced the environmental impact of its packaging.

These solutions involve monomaterials (increased recyclability), recycled materials and reducing the amount of plastic used. Here are some of the products involved in these changes: