Since 1978
The History of Rifra
Today, Rifra Masterbatches is recognized as one of the leading Italian companies in the production and marketing of color Masterbatches, additives, and compounds for the Italian and European markets. The production facility and administrative offices are located in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS). Rifra’s history is the result of a combination of entrepreneurial intuition, continuous investment in people, systems, and technologies, and a constant relationship with stakeholders, guided by transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
Today, Rifra Masterbatches is recognized as one of the leading Italian companies in the production and marketing of color Masterbatches, additives, and compounds for the Italian and European markets. The production facility and administrative offices are located in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS). Rifra’s history is the result of a combination of entrepreneurial intuition, continuous investment in people, systems, and technologies, and a constant relationship with stakeholders, guided by transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
CORPORATE
1978 – 1988
Rifra Masterbatches was officially founded on May 27, 1978, when the Rampa family established the company in a building of approximately 300 m² in Nuvolento, in the province of Brescia. The name Rifra recalls “refraction,” the optical phenomenon of light that generates new effects and shades: a direct reference to the world of color and Masterbatches. From the beginning, founder Augusto Rampa—from Bergamo, born in 1943, with a chemistry background and extensive experience in the petrochemical sector and pigmentation for plastics—oriented the company toward quality, innovation, and the ability to respond to market changes.
In the first decade of activity, the company focused on starting up and consolidating production, technologically adapting machinery to meet the requirements for masterbatch production. In 1988, Rifra moved to its current facility in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS), expanding from 300 to 1,200 m² and beginning an expansion process that over the years would bring the total area to over 16,700 m², of which 9,200 are covered. At the end of the 1980s, with the introduction of the first computer systems, progressive automation of processes began, and the concept of problem solving spread throughout the company, understood as the ability to define, analyze, and resolve operational and production issues in a structured manner. In parallel, Rifra developed a partnership relationship with customers, based on trust, empathy, and building lasting relationships.
1988 – 1998
In the 1990s, growth continued on both organizational and commercial levels. In 1987, the company became a S.p.A., and in 1993, the process began that led to ISO 9002/94 Quality Certification in 1994, ahead of many companies in the sector. In the third decade (1998–2008), Rifra underwent a significant reorganization, starting with the sales department, to align the market approach with a new philosophy: no longer just product sales, but listening to real needs to become a “useful company” to its stakeholders. During these years, significant investment was made in staff training, both on processes and on corporate culture and management.
1998 – 2008
Since 2003, the company has supported the Ol’Kalou project in Kenya, dedicated to healthcare assistance and rehabilitation, integrating a social dimension into its corporate history. In 2004, it obtained D&B Rating 1 credit qualification, an indicator of maximum reliability, and in 2006, it acquired a 50% stake in Teknomast, a partnership that would be consolidated in 2020 with the acquisition of the majority share. This integration process enabled the enhancement of the specific competencies of both entities, strengthening the offering of customized, high-quality solutions.
2008 – 2018
The fourth decade (2008–2018) marked a generational transition and a profound organizational transformation. In 2008, the founder transferred leadership to Elisabetta Rampa, who reorganized the internal structure by introducing a horizontal management structure with clear responsibilities for each department and with the objective of creating cross-functional synergies among the various managers. During these years, Rifra addressed the first demands related to sustainability and energy efficiency, investing in a 200 kW photovoltaic system for self-consumption and upgrading several production plants with advanced technologies, increasing capacity from approximately 7,000 to 9,000 tons while improving laboratory instrumentation.
Since 2012, the company has structured itself to adopt an Integrated Quality, Environment, and Safety Management System, including a Code of Ethics and Integrated Policy in response to the requirements of Decree 231. This step initiated systematic monitoring of key parameters, with the objective of actively contributing to continuous improvement, both in environmental sustainability and safety. In parallel, a comprehensive image restyling was launched: a new logo was created accompanied by the payoff “We complete your process,” the corporate identity was updated, and internal and external spaces were renovated, with new areas for offices, laboratory, reception, and warehouses, reorganized with racking systems to optimize space utilization, including vertical space. A barcode system was introduced for automatic traceability, supporting efficiency and process control.
In 2015, the restyling of the external structure was completed with the creation of new functional spaces, and in 2018, the company celebrated forty years of activity by inaugurating a new warehouse building, designed to support future growth.
2018 – Present
The following years were characterized by further investments: in 2022, an adjacent building was acquired, designated for logistics functions and future projects; in 2023, a more structured integration process with Teknomast began in terms of governance, operational process management, and corporate culture, and the photovoltaic system was expanded with an additional 156 kW. In 2024, the assessment phase for the adoption of a new management system was completed, with implementation leading to go-live in January 2025, and the preparation of the first Sustainability Report for the 2024 fiscal year began on a voluntary basis.
In 2025, to pursue diversification and innovation objectives, the company founded the Miralab research laboratory with the purpose of providing innovative and functionalized research services to the market. Today, Rifra Masterbatches is recognized as one of the leading Italian companies in the production and marketing of color Masterbatches, additives, and compounds for the Italian and European markets. The production facility and administrative offices are located in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS).
Rifra’s history is the result of a combination of entrepreneurial intuition, continuous investment in people, systems, and technologies, and a constant relationship with stakeholders, guided by transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
Rifra Masterbatches was officially founded on May 27, 1978, when the Rampa family established the company in a building of approximately 300 m² in Nuvolento, in the province of Brescia. The name Rifra recalls “refraction,” the optical phenomenon of light that generates new effects and shades: a direct reference to the world of color and Masterbatches. From the beginning, founder Augusto Rampa—from Bergamo, born in 1943, with a chemistry background and extensive experience in the petrochemical sector and pigmentation for plastics—oriented the company toward quality, innovation, and the ability to respond to market changes.
In the first decade of activity, the company focused on starting up and consolidating production, technologically adapting machinery to meet the requirements for masterbatch production. In 1988, Rifra moved to its current facility in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS), expanding from 300 to 1,200 m² and beginning an expansion process that over the years would bring the total area to over 16,700 m², of which 9,200 are covered. At the end of the 1980s, with the introduction of the first computer systems, progressive automation of processes began, and the concept of problem solving spread throughout the company, understood as the ability to define, analyze, and resolve operational and production issues in a structured manner. In parallel, Rifra developed a partnership relationship with customers, based on trust, empathy, and building lasting relationships.
In the 1990s, growth continued on both organizational and commercial levels. In 1987, the company became a S.p.A., and in 1993, the process began that led to ISO 9002/94 Quality Certification in 1994, ahead of many companies in the sector. In the third decade (1998–2008), Rifra underwent a significant reorganization, starting with the sales department, to align the market approach with a new philosophy: no longer just product sales, but listening to real needs to become a “useful company” to its stakeholders. During these years, significant investment was made in staff training, both on processes and on corporate culture and management.
Since 2003, the company has supported the Ol’Kalou project in Kenya, dedicated to healthcare assistance and rehabilitation, integrating a social dimension into its corporate history. In 2004, it obtained D&B Rating 1 credit qualification, an indicator of maximum reliability, and in 2006, it acquired a 50% stake in Teknomast, a partnership that would be consolidated in 2020 with the acquisition of the majority share. This integration process enabled the enhancement of the specific competencies of both entities, strengthening the offering of customized, high-quality solutions.
The fourth decade (2008–2018) marked a generational transition and a profound organizational transformation. In 2008, the founder transferred leadership to Elisabetta Rampa, who reorganized the internal structure by introducing a horizontal management structure with clear responsibilities for each department and with the objective of creating cross-functional synergies among the various managers. During these years, Rifra addressed the first demands related to sustainability and energy efficiency, investing in a 200 kW photovoltaic system for self-consumption and upgrading several production plants with advanced technologies, increasing capacity from approximately 7,000 to 9,000 tons while improving laboratory instrumentation.
Since 2012, the company has structured itself to adopt an Integrated Quality, Environment, and Safety Management System, including a Code of Ethics and Integrated Policy in response to the requirements of Decree 231. This step initiated systematic monitoring of key parameters, with the objective of actively contributing to continuous improvement, both in environmental sustainability and safety. In parallel, a comprehensive image restyling was launched: a new logo was created accompanied by the payoff “We complete your process,” the corporate identity was updated, and internal and external spaces were renovated, with new areas for offices, laboratory, reception, and warehouses, reorganized with racking systems to optimize space utilization, including vertical space. A barcode system was introduced for automatic traceability, supporting efficiency and process control.
In 2015, the restyling of the external structure was completed with the creation of new functional spaces, and in 2018, the company celebrated forty years of activity by inaugurating a new warehouse building, designed to support future growth.
The following years were characterized by further investments: in 2022, an adjacent building was acquired, designated for logistics functions and future projects; in 2023, a more structured integration process with Teknomast began in terms of governance, operational process management, and corporate culture, and the photovoltaic system was expanded with an additional 156 kW. In 2024, the assessment phase for the adoption of a new management system was completed, with implementation leading to go-live in January 2025, and the preparation of the first Sustainability Report for the 2024 fiscal year began on a voluntary basis.
In 2025, to pursue diversification and innovation objectives, the company founded the Miralab research laboratory with the purpose of providing innovative and functionalized research services to the market. Today, Rifra Masterbatches is recognized as one of the leading Italian companies in the production and marketing of color Masterbatches, additives, and compounds for the Italian and European markets. The production facility and administrative offices are located in Molinetto di Mazzano (BS).
Rifra’s history is the result of a combination of entrepreneurial intuition, continuous investment in people, systems, and technologies, and a constant relationship with stakeholders, guided by transparency, integrity, and responsibility.
Portrait in Motion
Augusto Rampa tells himself
Originally from Bergamo, born in 1943, with a chemistry education, he began his professional career in 1962 at a petrochemical company, where he quickly became responsible for the polystyrene polymerization plant, both crystal and impact-resistant.
After a primarily technical training period, he chose to dedicate himself to commercial activity at a company dealing with pigments and additives for plastics.
In the 1970s, the plastics industry was evolving rapidly; new systems and processes were emerging regarding the coloring and additivation of plastics.
It was thanks to a keen entrepreneurial intuition that Augusto Rampa was able to recognize the favorable market moment and, in 1978, decided to operate independently, giving life to Rifra Masterbatches.
From the idea of writing a book recounting the forty years since the founding of Rifra, a collaboration was born with writer Gianni Farinetti, who created a two-handed biography or autobiography in which Augusto’s formative journey took shape, from a provincial boy to a respected entrepreneur.
Originally from Bergamo, born in 1943, with a chemistry education, he began his professional career in 1962 at a petrochemical company, where he quickly became responsible for the polystyrene polymerization plant, both crystal and impact-resistant.
After a primarily technical training period, he chose to dedicate himself to commercial activity at a company dealing with pigments and additives for plastics.
In the 1970s, the plastics industry was evolving rapidly; new systems and processes were emerging regarding the coloring and additivation of plastics.
It was thanks to a keen entrepreneurial intuition that Augusto Rampa was able to recognize the favorable market moment and, in 1978, decided to operate independently, giving life to Rifra Masterbatches.
From the idea of writing a book recounting the forty years since the founding of Rifra, a collaboration was born with writer Gianni Farinetti, who created a two-handed biography or autobiography in which Augusto’s formative journey took shape, from a provincial boy to a respected entrepreneur.
