What Solana does

Solana S.p.A. is a privately held Italian B2B food processing company that produces and supplies processed tomato and squash derivatives to industrial food manufacturers and food service operators. Founded in 2001 in Maccastorna (Lodi) within the Po Valley, the company operates a 135,000-square-meter site with 9 production lines capable of processing approximately 200,000 tons of tomatoes and 6,000 tons of pumpkin annually, with daily throughput exceeding 3,500 tons. Solana monetizes through direct B2B sales in bulk industrial packaging (215kg drums, ~1,100kg plastic bins, ~1,400kg metal crates) for food industry customers and bag-in-box/can formats (5-15kg) for food service operators, distributed across 30+ countries under its own brands (Solana, Parmasole, Bell'Emilia, Mastro Pizzaiolo, Dolce per Natura) and private label arrangements.

The company's product portfolio covers the full derivative spectrum — finely chopped tomatoes, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, SOLANINO premium cherry tomato puree, pizza sauce, semi-concentrate, tomato paste, double tomato paste, organic lines, and squash puree/paste — and is anchored by proprietary processing technology including Ohmic pasteurization (which heats from the center of the product via electrical conductivity, preserving organoleptic qualities), Venus evaporation plants with 100,000+ liters/hour capacity, automated optical sorting, and aseptic cold-fill packaging. Solana holds exclusive rights to the SOLANINO cherry tomato variety, developed in 2012 with Parco Tecnologico Padano, and maintains a multi-layered certification portfolio (BRC, ISO 22005, ISCC PLUS Mass Balance, EU Organic Reg. 848/2018, Kosher, Halal).

Since 2024, Solana has pursued an explicit external growth strategy to establish itself as an integrated European vegetable preserves platform, acquiring Suncan SpA in December 2024 (canned fruit and vegetables) and Desco SpA in January 2026 (preserved tomatoes). Distribution is direct-to-customer with no resellers, supported by participation in Gulfood, IFE London, and TUTTOFOOD Milano. The company is led by CEO Antonio Casana and CFO/Sales Director Giorgio Resmini, and is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, parent company, or revenue figures.

Name

Solana

Legal name

Solana S.p.A.

Website

https://solanaspa.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solana S.p.A. is an Italian B2B food processor that produces and supplies processed tomato and squash derivatives (puree, paste, diced, crushed, sauces) for industrial food manufacturers and food service operators across 30+ countries from its 200,000-ton-capacity facility in Maccastorna, Lodi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Processed Tomato Products

NAICS

Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Purees & Fruit/Vegetable Bases (Aseptic, Frozen, Drum) (AFAKAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fruit & Vegetable Ingredients for Food Manufacturing (Diced, Slices, Fillings, Toppings) (AFAKAFAI), Canned Vegetables Manufacturing (AFAKACAB), Fresh Produce Distribution (CRAOABAB)

Keywords

• Tomato processing
• Industrial food ingredients
• Private label manufacturing
• Bag-in-box packaging
• Vegetable preserves production

Headquarters

HQ city

Lodi

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. B2B Tomato Derivatives Sales: Solana generates revenue through the sale of processed tomato derivatives (puree, paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, sauces) and squash products to food industries and food service operators. Products are sold in large industrial packaging (drums 215kg, plastic bins ~1100kg, metal crates ~1400kg) and bag-in-box formats (5kg, 10kg, 15kg). The company also produces private label products for customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Solana S.p.A. is an Italian B2B food manufacturer that processes fresh tomatoes and squash into industrial-grade derivatives — purees, pastes, crushed, diced, sauces, semiconcentrates, and concentrates — sold in bulk packaging (drums 215kg, plastic bins ~1,100kg, metal crates ~1,400kg) to food industries and in bag-in-box/can formats to food service operators. The company also produces private-label tomato and squash products and runs an organic line under EU Regulation 848/2018, operating a 200,000 tons/year tomato processing capacity in Maccastorna, Lodi.

Product overview

Solana S.p.A. is a modern B2B tomato and vegetable processing company located in Maccastorna, Lodi, Italy, with an annual processing capacity of 200,000 tons of fresh tomatoes and 6,000 tons of pumpkin. The company operates a single unified product portfolio organized around two core product categories: tomato derivatives (including Finely Chopped Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Puree, SOLANINO Puree, Pizza Sauce, Tomato Semiconcentrate, Tomato Paste, Double Tomato Paste, and Organic Tomato Products) and squash/pumpkin products (Squash Puree, Squash Paste, and Organic Squash Products). These products are sold under company brands (Solana®, Parmasole®, Bell'Emilia®, Mastro Pizzaiolo®, Dolce per Natura®) and through acquired subsidiaries (Suncan® and Chris® from Suncan SpA, and Desco® from Desco SpA). Products are positioned for industrial food manufacturers and food service operators, available in bulk packaging (drums, bins) and retail-ready formats (bag-in-box, cans). The company emphasizes proprietary varieties like the SOLANINO cherry tomato and advanced processing technologies including Ohmic pasteurization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Solana: Main brand for tomato puree and derivatives packaged for industrial use in drums
• Parmasole
• Bell'Emilia
• Mastro Pizzaiolo
• Dolce per Natura
• SOLANINO
• Suncan
• Chris

Products and services

• Finely Chopped Tomatoes (Polpa Fine) Thermally peeled, finely chopped tomato pulp mixed with Hot Break sauce, characterized by high density, low serum separation, and low seed and skin content. Sold to food industries and food service operators for pizzas, sauces, and condiments.
• Diced Tomatoes (Cubettato di Pomodoro) Thermally peeled tomatoes diced from 10x10 to 19x19 mm, drained of serum and seeds, mixed with Hot Break or Cold Break sauce, with automated sorting and low seed/skin content. Available in premium quality with Ohmic pasteurization.
• Crushed Tomatoes (Polpa Estrusa) Selected, graded, washed, and sorted tomatoes processed via extrusion using an 8mm screen and mixed with Hot Break sauce. Sold for pizzas, sauces, and tomato-based condiments.
• Tomato Puree (Passata Classica) Hot-break tomato puree made from fresh, healthy, and ripe tomatoes, concentrated after washing, crushing, and refining to separate seeds, skins, and coarse parts. Ideal for pizza, sauces, and condiments.
• SOLANINO Puree (Dolce per Natura)

Quantifiable outcome

• Processing completed within 24 hours from harvest
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Suncan SpAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuncan SpA joined the Solana Group in December 2024. It is a preserved food company founded in 1963 by the Politi family, producing and marketing canned fruit (in syrup, natural juice or water) and other canned vegetables. Over 70% of turnover is generated by exports mainly to EU countries. Both companies share high product quality standards, customer focus, sustainability commitment, and integrity in business dealings.
• Desco SpAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesco SpA joined the Solana Group in January 2026. It is a preserved food manufacturer founded in 1963 by the Serafini family, specializing in tomatoes. The company focuses on high-quality preserves, collaborating with customers to study and optimize processing and packaging stages for tailor-made products, with commitment to reducing environmental impact through innovation.
• Solana PA, S.R.L.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolana PA partnered with Marriott International for a St. Regis Hotels & Resorts development in Gulf of Papagayo, Costa Rica. The project spans 20 hectares with 120 hotel rooms and 143 residential units, marking the first St. Regis property in Costa Rica.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mutti S.p.A. Leading Italian processor of tomato derivatives (puree, paste, passata) for retail and food service in 30+ countries. Directly comparable in B2B tomato processing technology, scale, and export orientation, but larger and more brand-led at retail.
• Conserve Italia (Valfrutta, Cirio brands): Italian cooperative producing canned tomatoes, pulses, and fruit juices under Valfrutta, Cirio, and Derby Blue. Comparable as a large Italian preserves manufacturer selling into food industry and food service with export reach across the EU and beyond.
• Petti (Petti S.p.A.): Italian tomato processor headquartered in Tuscany, specializing in passata and tomato paste sold across European retail and food service. Overlaps with Solana on bulk tomato derivatives, packaging formats (bottles, cartons), and private-label programs.
• La Doria S.p.A. Italian food group producing canned tomatoes, pulses, pasta sauces, and fruit juices, with a heavy private-label and export mix. Comparable in B2B food manufacturing, multi-category preserves portfolio, and European food-service customer base.
• Casalasco Società Agricola (Pomì, De Rica): Italian agricultural cooperative and tomato processor behind Pomì and De Rica brands. Comparable vertically integrated grower-to-processor model, Italian origin, and B2B plus retail tomato derivatives offering.
• Ingomar Packing Company: California-based tomato processor producing industrial tomato paste, diced, and crushed tomatoes for global food manufacturers. Comparable in large-scale B2B tomato derivative supply, multiple packaging formats, and private-label capability.
• Red Gold, Inc. US-based tomato processor producing ketchup, sauces, and canned tomato products for retail and food service. Comparable in B2B tomato processing, vertical integration with growers, and multi-channel customer base.

Broad incumbents

• CIRIO Società Agricola (brand): Historic Italian preserves brand covering tomatoes, legumes, vegetables, and fruit juices with both retail and food-service reach. Comparable as a tomato-derived products manufacturer with broader portfolio than Solana and stronger brand recognition.

Emerging players

• De Cecco Industrie Alimentari: Italian pasta and sauces producer that also markets tomato-based sauces and purees for retail and food service. Comparable in Made-in-Italy sourcing, premium positioning, and B2B plus B2C channels, though tomato is a secondary line versus pasta.

Others

• Symrise / Ingredion (industrial tomato ingredient suppliers): Industrial ingredient suppliers (e.g., Symrise Diana Foods, Ingredion, SVZ) producing tomato-based ingredients, powders, and concentrates for food manufacturers. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but compete for the same food-industry purchasing budgets on tomato derivatives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solana