De Nora: More than 100 years of ideas that shape the future

Every great story begins with a defining moment.

For De Nora, that moment came on August 2, 1923, when a young engineer from Altamura, Oron From Oronzio De Nora’s first patent to global leadership in electrochemical technologies: a history of creativity, perseverance, and commitment to shaping a more sustainable future.

zio De Nora, registered a patent that would become far more than a technical invention.

It was the first step in a journey that, over three generations and more than a century of industrial and technological innovation, transformed a pioneering idea into a global leader in electrochemistry, water technologies, and the energy transition.

Today, more than 100 years later, De Nora’s history is a story of ideas, people, and milestones that have not only shaped the company’s evolution, but have also helped influence entire industries around the world.

Because some companies stand the test of time. Others help shape what comes next.

1. De Nora’s history: From pioneering vision to technological leadership

De Nora’s story began with curiosity.

When Oronzio De Nora looked at the limitations of the electrochemical technologies of his time, he saw opportunity rather than constraint.

A graduate of the Politecnico di Milano with a passion for electrochemistry, he envisioned a new approach to designing electrolytic cells, achieving a significant improvement in process efficiency. That insight led to the patent that marked the beginning of De Nora’s journey.

Over the decades that followed, the same spirit of exploration became deeply embedded in the company’s culture. Through periods of rapid industrial change and some of the most challenging moments of the twentieth century, De Nora continued to invest in transforming scientific knowledge into practical industrial solutions.

One of the company’s most significant breakthroughs came in the 1960s with the development of titanium electrodes coated with mixed metal oxides, the technology behind the renowned DSA (Dimensionally Stable Anodes). To this day, DSA technology remains one of the defining innovations in modern electrochemistry, helping set new standards for efficiency, performance, and sustainability across the industry.

Since then, De Nora has continued to grow without interruption. Today, the Group’s technological portfolio includes approximately 275 patent families and continues to grow through the work of its research centers and the expertise of the people who develop new solutions to address tomorrow’s challenges.

The company’s greatest achievement is the mindset that views every milestone not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a new opportunity.

2. Innovation, patents, and global growth

Throughout its history, De Nora has evolved alongside the generations that have guided its development.

From Oronzio to Niccolò and then Federico De Nora, each generation has built upon the legacy of the one before, adapting it to the challenges and opportunities of its time.

If Oronzio established the company’s technological foundations, Niccolò led its international expansion, transforming an Italian business into a Group capable of competing on a global scale.

More recently, under the leadership of Federico De Nora and with the support of CEO Paolo Dellachà, the Group has accelerated its growth trajectory, strengthening its position in water technologies, sustainability, and the energy transition while maintaining the innovative spirit that has always defined the company.

Today, De Nora operates across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific through a global network of companies, manufacturing facilities, and research centers, serving customers in approximately 100 countries worldwide.

Despite its international growth, De Nora has remained firmly connected to its identity.

That identity is rooted in values that have transcended generations: curiosity, responsibility, perseverance, and trust in people.

These values are reflected in a motto that has accompanied both the family and the company for decades: Durantes Vincunt. "Those who persevere prevail."

It is a principle that continues to inspire a relentless commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of new possibilities.

3. Innovating today to build tomorrow

While De Nora’s first century was defined by advances in industrial electrochemistry, its present and future are increasingly shaped by some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

Water, energy, and decarbonization are among the critical issues facing society today. Across all of these areas, De Nora technologies play a tangible role through solutions for water treatment, disinfection, filtration, and circularity.

This is the natural evolution of a story that began more than a century ago and has always been guided by a belief shared across generations: progress happens when knowledge meets the courage to innovate.

A defining milestone in this evolution was De Nora’s listing on Euronext Milan in 2022. More than a financial achievement, it marked the opening of a new chapter in the Group’s growth journey, reinforcing its capacity to invest in innovation, sustainability, and global development.

For De Nora, looking to the future is about more than developing new technologies. It means continuing to invest in people, scientific research, and the talents of future generations. This commitment is reflected in the initiatives promoted by the Oronzio and Niccolò De Nora Foundation and in the company’s ongoing dedication to education, professional development, and the growth of the communities in which it operates.

After more than a century, what continues to distinguish De Nora is not only what it has achieved, but the belief that there is always a better way to improve, innovate, and move forward.

De Nora’s story began with a patent, but it has always been about more than technology.

It is a story of people who imagined new possibilities, of generations that transformed perseverance into progress, and of a culture that continues to look ahead without losing sight of its roots.

More than 100 years after its founding, De Nora remains guided by the same spirit that inspired Oronzio in 1923: the conviction that every innovation can help build a better tomorrow.

And that the most important milestone is always the next one.