SNIA

Friulia, €5 Million Investment in Caffaro Industrie

Trieste, Torviscosa (UD), July 31, 2025 – Friulia has completed a significant operation by supporting the development of Caffaro Industrie with a €5 million investment. The company, based in Torviscosa (UD), operates in the fine chemicals sector, producing a wide range of compounds for the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, adhesives and paints, solvents, coatings, and polyurethane industries. Caffaro Industrie is part of the SNIA BDG Group, a leading Italian family-run player in the chemical industry.

Caffaro Industrie was founded in 2011 following the acquisition by the Bertolini family of the production site of the historic Caffaro S.p.A., which had been present at the Torviscosa industrial hub for over 80 years. The company is part of the SNIA BDG Group, which includes five other businesses engaged in the production and distribution of chemical products and plastics. It benefits from a multifunctional fine chemical facility and a dedicated photochemical chlorination unit for the production of chlorinated paraffins. In this specific segment, it operates through a 50-50 joint venture with the Vectre Group, a prominent player in Italy’s basic chemicals sector.

The plant includes 30 reactors, 25 distillation and rectification columns, and over 70 auxiliary devices, covering more than 400,000 square meters. The facility employs over 170 workers and produces more than 10,000 tons of chemicals annually, mainly ketones and organic carbonates used in the pharmaceutical and plastics industries. The company has a strong international presence, with over 40% of its production exported abroad.

In 2024, Caffaro Industrie closed the year with revenues of €55.6 million and an EBITDA of €7.2 million, proving resilient in a highly competitive international context thanks to its strategic positioning as a niche company in the specialty chemicals sector. This trend was confirmed in the first half of 2025, which saw a significant increase in EBITDA compared to the same period in 2024—approximately +12% year-over-year, with production value as of June 30 reaching around €30.2 million.

The Group’s strategic plan includes both the development of new production lines and the reduction of dependence on external suppliers, shortening of supply chains, and the reduction of its carbon footprint.

In line with the Group’s strategic guidelines, Caffaro Industrie's industrial plan involves the construction of a new plant dedicated to producing a starting material for the pharmaceutical sector. Pilot production is expected to start in 2026, with full-scale operations by 2027. The plan includes the hiring of highly specialized technical staff and aims to supply over 700 tons of finished product annually to Caffaro’s partner companies.

Friulia has had a long-standing relationship with the SNIA BDG Group, having participated—together with Spin S.p.A.—in the founding of Halo Industry, a company indirectly connected to the Group. Halo Industry was created to build a chlor-alkali plant, anticipating as early as 2014 the need to reduce dependence on external supplies and to shorten supply chains. Today, Halo Industry produces around 25,000 tons of caustic soda and 22,000 tons of chlorine.

Recently, Halo Industry began producing hydrochloric acid with an annual capacity of 26,000 tons, using hydrogen and chlorine generated internally. This step diversifies the use of raw materials and optimizes industrial cycle efficiency.

Federica Seganti, President of Friulia, commented:

“Friulia’s entry into the capital of Caffaro Industrie represents a strategic investment in support of an outstanding company in our region, one that has successfully combined industrial strength, technological innovation, and global vision. We are talking about a business deeply rooted in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with a long-standing history in Torviscosa and a strong bond with the regional economy, yet also a global player in the specialty chemicals sector, offering high value-added products for international markets.
This important investment not only strengthens the company’s production capacity and competitiveness but also underscores our shared commitment to a sustainable future, focusing on new technologies, specialized skills, and shorter supply chains. Friulia stands with businesses like Caffaro Industrie that are able to tackle the challenges of the global market without losing their ties to the territory, with the aim of building long-term value.”

Francesco Bertolini, President of Caffaro Industrie, added:

“We are truly very satisfied to have closed this deal. Friulia is undoubtedly a prestigious partner, and we are convinced they will give us momentum in our ambitious growth path. This is clearly demonstrated by their recent successful support of our associated company Halo Industry. The regional financial institution’s backing of our equity is strategic for many reasons, and we are genuinely pleased to have them by our side moving forward.”