History Timeline

Casale turns 100. After having contributed, through the development and improvement of fertilizer production plants, to secure the unrestricted access to food and nutrients thus sustaining the unprecedented growth of the world population since the beginning of last century, the company founded in 1921 by Luigi Casale is now ready to face new challenges.
The future will be dedicated in particular to the development of new green technologies, which will allow the industry to become more sustainable by limiting the use of Carbon-based feedstock, curbing harmful emissions and thus meeting the challenge to reduce the risks of global warming.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

The first “hydrogen car” traveled for more than 600 km from Terni to Trieste. It was a FIAT 509 with an ammonia-powered engine designed and built by Casale in Terni (Italy). Thanks to the continuous research on ammonia and its potential applications Casale was somehow the precursor of the modern hydrogen car.

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.

First Ammonia Casale plant built in Nobeoka, Japan.
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.

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