Codyeco
The Company
Codyeco was founded by young entrepreneurs specialised in the tanning sector in 1976 in Santa Croce Sull’Arno (Pisa), one of the most important tanning districts in Italy. The company was founded to provide the sector with a range of chemical products and dyes of the highest quality, aiming to provide first-class assistance services, both in the tannery and in the technical testing laboratories made available to customers. It immediately manages to stand out from the competition by creating a new standard in the Italian tanning market.
These characteristics quickly built Codyeco’s reputation and soon led to the opening of new branches in other important national tanning districts with independent technical laboratories: in 1978 in Solofra (Avellino) and in 1980 in Arzignano (Vicenza).
To increase the services offered and complement its entire range of tanning products for finishing, in 1997 Codyeco acquired two companies specialised in the production and marketing of chemicals for the finishing of leather. This has allowed the company to further strengthen its position as one of the most qualified players in the field of chemicals for tanning in Italy. In 1999, the first determined step was taken to build its international expansion with the opening of application laboratories and the creation of the logistics structure in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Subsequently, in 2013 Codyeco became the first Italian company in the chemical supply sector based in Tuscany to structure an M&A operation, passing the management to an Italian Private Equity fund, allowing a further, strong expansion of the level of activity in Italy as well as expansion around the world.
In July 2016 Codyeco acquired Kemiter, a company in Castelfranco di Sotto (Pisa), specialised in the production of finishing products, with a particular focus on liquid dyes. Meanwhile, the company has expanded its presence globally: there are more than forty countries in the world in which it operates.
In 2017, Codyeco carried out a new, important operation at a global level: it was 100% acquired by Royal Smit & Zoon (based in Weesp, the Netherlands), one of the first companies in the ranking of the tanning chemical sector at a global level. This completed its journey from foundation to consolidation as a top company.
Throughout its history, the company has always aimed to combine the production of the best solutions with a sustainable way of producing; between 2016 and 2019, this objective culminated in the life BIOPOL project on environment and technology, a project co-funded by the European Union under the life 2014–2020 programme.
The main purpose is the synthesis of a new class of biopolymers, which represent innovative and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional petrochemicals used in the leather processing process. Biopolymers are produced using low-value industrial secondary flows to improve the circular economy between different industrial sectors.
In 2026, Codyeco will celebrate 50 years of history: a milestone that makes anyone who has contributed to making this company so important in half a century of absolute quality work proud.
Mission
The task of experimental tanning goes beyond the solution of everyday problems. In our laboratories, we continuously create new applications, making sure to anticipate trends that will influence the market and, day after day, to help each customer by satisfying their needs. This attitude reflects the strength of the company and gives Codyeco an advantage over competitors.
The technical laboratories of Santa Croce sull’Arno (Pisa), Arzignano (Vicenza) and Solofra (Avellino) are real experimental tanneries, where all phases of leather processing are reproduced and tested: from the initial preparation of raw materials to finishing.
This is because Codyeco’s highly qualified technicians and our scientific staff have always focused on solving the problems that most affect our partners, ensuring the tanning sector customised solutions resulting from continuous technological research.
Strategy
Our factories, our laboratories and our worldwide sales and service network create the strength we need to respond to the challenges that the leather industry faces today, including in the environmental field. At Codyeco, Research and Development are the foundation of a chain of processes that guarantees the best solutions, also with a view to convenience. Our global distribution network is directly connected to our laboratories, so our operating technicians around the world are always updated on the latest developments. It is also for this reason that they are often welcomed as guests or speakers at events regarding innovative technologies, applications, trends and developments of new proposals for the market.
Our internationalisation process, which began many years ago, continues decisively, testifying to the quality of the offer that Codyeco puts in place at a global level, although without ever losing the sense of Italian tradition and artisan and Tuscan origins.
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CERTIFICATION
Quality and sustainability proof of certification.
SERVICES
Codyeco is where science meets fashion.