17 Potain Tower Cranes Shape Milan’s MIND Innovation District
- Oct 27, 2025
- 4 min read
30 Second Takeaway
A fleet of 17 Potain MDT topless tower cranes is supporting construction at MIND (Milan Innovation District) One of Europe’s most ambitious sustainable urban redevelopment projects. Led by a public-private partnership between Arexpo and Lendlease, and delivered by Italian contractors CMB and Renco Group, the €4.5 billion project is redefining large-scale, low-carbon city development on Milan’s northwest edge.
Building the City of the Future in Milan
Construction is well underway at MIND – Milan Innovation District, a landmark redevelopment project located on the northwest edge of Milan. Developed through a public-private partnership between Arexpo and Lendlease, the project covers nearly one million square metres roughly the size of 120 football fields.
With a total investment of €4.5 billion, MIND aims to create a fully decarbonised urban district designed around connectivity, inclusion, culture, and well-being, positioning it among the most advanced sustainable city projects in Europe.
17 Potain MDT Topless Cranes Across Multiple Sites
To support the scale and complexity of the project, 17 Potain MDT series topless tower cranes are operating across various construction zones, including:
11 Potain MDT 219
Four Potain MDT 319
Two Potain MDT 389
The cranes’ topless design, high lifting capacities, and ease of transport make them ideally suited to a dense, multi-contractor urban environment like MIND, where overlapping work zones and tight logistics demand precision and flexibility.
CMB Leads Timber and Mixed-Use Construction
Italian contractor CMB (Cooperativa Muratori e Braccianti di Carpi) is managing several key developments within MIND, including:
MoLo, a mobility and logistics hub with 1,800 parking spaces
The Horizon and Zenith mixed-use towers
At nine and 13 storeys respectively, Horizon and Zenith combine concrete and timber construction to significantly reduce environmental impact and carbon emissions. Notably, Zenith will become Italy’s tallest timber building.
CMB relies exclusively on five Potain MDT topless cranes for its work at MIND:
Three MDT 319 cranes at Horizon
One MDT 319 and one MDT 389 at the Zenith tower
Simone Motta, Project Manager at CMB, explained:
“From an execution standpoint, these buildings are designed with prefabrication in mind—to accelerate construction and reduce on-site labour while minimising potential risks. We chose to use only Potain MDT cranes, which required careful analysis of logistics, operating radii, and potential interferences. That planning allowed us to achieve optimal coverage of the entire construction area. The cranes were essential for assembling floor slabs and façade panels throughout the process.”
Renco Group Builds New University of Milan Campus
Nearby, Renco Group is overseeing construction of a new University of Milan campus, scheduled for completion in 2027. The development includes:
18,000 m² of classrooms
35,000 m² of laboratories
Recreational and green spaces, including a botanical garden and sports areas
Renco is deploying 11 Potain MDT 219 cranes in varying configurations, supported by an additional MDT 389 erected at 75 metres for the heaviest lifts.
The cranes’ Crane Control System (CCS) and transport-friendly design have proven particularly valuable on the dense urban jobsite.
Andrea Salaroli, Project Manager at Renco, said:
“Given the scale and complexity of the site, we developed a lifting plan with Potain that includes twelve cranes. This setup provides full coverage across the site and allows us to organise work in two shifts, accelerating progress.”
A Sustainable Vision Supported by Tower Crane Technology
Once complete, MIND will feature:
Europe’s longest linear park, spanning 460,000 m²
3,000 new trees
4 km of bike lanes
A fully electric internal transport network
For CMB and Renco, the extensive deployment of Potain MDT topless cranes is helping translate this sustainability vision into reality.
“Potain cranes have always delivered the reliability and precision we need on complex urban projects,” Salaroli added.“At MIND, that dependability is helping us meet ambitious goals and build the next generation of Milan.”
About MIND Milan Innovation District
MIND (Milan Innovation District) is a large-scale urban regeneration project developed by Arexpo and Lendlease, focused on sustainability, innovation, education, and quality of life. The district will integrate research, healthcare, education, residential, and cultural spaces within a fully decarbonised urban framework.
🔗 Website: https://www.mindmilano.it
About Potain
Potain, part of the Manitowoc Group, is a global leader in tower crane design and manufacturing, known for its MDT topless cranes, advanced control systems, and solutions tailored to dense urban construction environments.
🔗 Website: https://www.manitowoc.com/potain
About CMB and Renco Group
CMB (Cooperativa Muratori e Braccianti di Carpi) is one of Italy’s leading construction cooperatives, specialising in complex, sustainable building projects.
Renco Group is an international construction and engineering company with expertise in education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cranes are being used at MIND?
A total of 17 Potain MDT topless tower cranes are operating across the project.
Why were Potain MDT topless cranes selected?
Their topless design, high capacity, and logistics flexibility make them ideal for dense, multi-contractor urban sites.
Which contractors are using the cranes?
Italian contractors CMB and Renco Group are handling the lifting work.
What makes the MIND project unique?
It is a €4.5 billion, fully decarbonised urban district designed for sustainability, innovation, and community well-being.
When will the project be completed?
Construction is phased, with major elements such as the University of Milan campus scheduled for completion in 2027.
