History Timeline

Ammonia Casale established by entrepreneur Luigi Casale in Switzerland as innovating enterprise licensing its innovative process to produce synthetic ammonia on an industrial scale.

Ammonia Casale technology adopted in Italy, Japan, Switzerland, Spain and the USA – more than 15 plants together producing around 80,000 tons of ammonia annually.

Luigi Casale dies suddenly. By the same year, the Ammonia Casale process had been adopted in Belgium, England, Russia and Germany. Overall annual production stood at around 320,000 tons.

Ammonia Casale technology remains dominant – more than 200 ammonia plants built worldwide based on this first generation technology.

Technical revolution in the industry leading to development of a new generation of advanced processes. The new situation draws other licensors in the competitors’ arena and Casale technology begins losing ground.

Fast growing demand and increasing energy prices present significant challenge for the industry. Casale introduces the concept of plant revamping paving the way for its rebirth.

Casale shifts its focus expanding from ammonia production to develop technology encompassing the fields of urea, methanol and derivatives.

Casale reorganises into a group of four specialist companies focussed on the technological development and production of ammonia, methanol, urea and derivatives.

Casale SA is created after simplifying its structure by merging Ammonia Casale, Urea Casale, Methanol Casale and Casale Chemicals into a single company.

Casale SA acquires from Borealis the technologies for melamine production and production of nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium and other key fertilizer. It also acquires Chemoproject Nitrogen, a reputed Czech EPC contractor whose name is then changed into Casale Project.