Our History
The SOL Group is founded under the leadership of Giovanni Annoni and Aldo Fumagalli, with its first two oxygen and acetylene production plants opening in Livorno and Ancona.
Alessandro and Renzo Annoni, together with Giulio and Ugo Fumagalli Romario, the second generation of the families, launch an ambitious programme of innovative development for SOL. These are the years when the first technical gas production plants are built close to major clients, such as steelworks and glass manufacturers.
SOL becomes a leading operator in the Italian market, shifting from a regional to a national market strategy. This growth is driven by the major changes taking place in the technical gases industry at the time, fuelled by the development of storage and distribution technologies for cryogenic liquid gases.
The Group begins expanding across Europe, establishing plants, branches and joint ventures in many European countries in the years that follow, while also taking advantage of opportunities created by the opening of new markets in Southeastern Europe.
SOL is among the first companies in Europe to introduce a new form of therapy, developed in the United States, for patients suffering from severe respiratory disorders. The treatment requires significant quantities of oxygen and highly specialised home care services. In 1989, Vivisol is established to develop this market.
To compete more effectively in international markets, the parent company, SOL S.p.A., is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. The arrival of the third generation of the Annoni and Fumagalli Romario families at the helm, together with a young executive management team from outside the families, enables the Group to continue its international expansion.
The Group enters the renewable hydroelectric power generation sector, acquiring and developing hydroelectric power plants in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Slovenia, with a total installed capacity now standing at approximately 31 MW.
The Group enters the technical gases market in India through a joint venture with the Indian Dadabhoy family. Building on its experience in establishing and managing cryobanks, the Group also enters the biotechnology sector.
Following the acquisition of German company SKS, SOL becomes one of the leading players in the CO2 production market in Germany.
The Group acquires two companies in Poland specialising in home respiratory care and palliative care services. In Italy, it establishes a state-of-the-art testing and maintenance centre for cylinders and cylinder packs, featuring advanced automation to improve the safety and quality of gas containers.
The Group strengthens its international presence in home care. In Brazil, it acquires a majority stake in P Par Partecipacoes, which owns Global Care Assistencia Domiciliar, Unit Care Servicos Medicos and DN Global Homecare; in Germany, Intensivservice Wanninger; and in Switzerland, Spitex Perspecta.
The Group makes an important contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by developing and producing rapid serological tests and molecular kits in Italy to identify COVID-19.
It also launches a comprehensive service for analysing molecular and rapid antigen tests carried out at home.
The Group enters the Shanghai market, further strengthening its international presence in medical gases and healthcare services.
The Group strengthens its presence in the orthopaedics sector through a majority partnership with ITOP Spa OFFICINE ORTOPEDICHE, the Italian leader in the design and manufacture of customised assistive devices, prostheses and orthoses. The Group also expands its presence in India through a strategic partnership with BHURUKA GASES Ltd, a leading company in the production of pure and speciality gases and technical gases using energy from renewable sources.
The Group consolidates its international presence in South America by entering the technical gases sector through strategic partnerships in Ecuador and Peru.
The Group strengthens its presence in the home care sector in Brazil through the acquisition of PRONEP.
The SOL Group completes new air separation plants in Thessaloniki, Greece, and Frankfurt, Germany, and work begins on the renovation of its headquarters in Monza.
The Group continues its strategic diversification by acquiring a majority stake in AENDUO, a company that develops software solutions for the telemedicine sector, and a 20% stake in Biometan Green, a company developing a liquid biomethane production plant in Mirandola, dedicated entirely to the Group’s clients.
The SOL Group also establishes VIVISOL KUWAIT with a local partner, a new company dedicated to developing home care services in Kuwait.