What Pelma does

Pelma S.p.A. is a privately held Italian manufacturer of polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam (PU foam), founded in 1962 and headquartered in Bassano Bresciano (Brescia), Italy. The company produces a portfolio of ten branded foam families — Thermofresh, Climafresh, The Foam, Everflex, Allsoft, Safety, SlowEmotion, Soffio Plus, Natura, and Touch — spanning densities from ~18 to 50+ kg/m³ and covering conventional, elastic, viscoelastic, ultra-lightweight, flame-resistant, thermally regulated, antimicrobial, and vegetable-oil-based formulations. Core production relies on a proprietary VPF (Variable Pressure Foaming) technology that uses only water as the expanding agent, eliminating CFC/HCFC, methylene chloride, and CO₂ blowing agents; Pelma states it is the only Italian producer employing this method. In-house R&D is conducted at the Bassano Bresciano facility and in partnership with the University of Bologna's Department of Industrial Chemistry and major European certification institutes.

Pelma operates a B2B sales-led go-to-market, selling raw blocks (2–4 meters), semi-finished products, and finished foam goods directly to industrial manufacturers across eight end-use verticals: bedding, comfort furniture, protective packaging, interior soundproofing, automotive, construction, healthcare/sanitary, and sports/gymnastics. The company ships globally, participates in industry trade fairs, and runs the "PoliureTiAmo" content brand (blog and YouTube) alongside an Instagram presence. CEO Marco Pelucchi serves as President of AIPEF (Italian Flexible Polyurethane Foam Association) and as a board member of EUROPUR, the Brussels-based European industry body. Pelma holds CertiPUR and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Annex 4, Class I) certifications, has an exclusive distribution agreement with PerDormire for the Climafresh line, and presented the first eco-sustainable polyurethane mattress at FuoriSalone 2023. The company is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investment.

Name

Pelma

Legal name

Pelma S.p.A.

Website

https://pelma.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pelma S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1962 and a domestic leader in polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam, producing ten branded foam families (including viscoelastic, flame-resistant, thermally regulated, and vegetable-oil-based lines) for B2B customers in bedding, furniture, packaging, automotive, construction, healthcare, and sports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flexible Polyurethane Foam Manufacturing

NAICS

Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (326150)

SIC

Plastics Foam Products (3086)

akta.pro primary industry

Polyurethane (PU) Flexible Foam Manufacturing (IMANAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polymer Foams & Cellular Materials (PU Foams, EPS/XPS, Structural Foams) (IMAEANAL), Foam Conversion & Fabrication (Cutting, Laminating, CNC, Packaging Inserts) (IMANAIAJ)

Keywords

• Flexible polyurethane foam
• Polyether foam manufacturing
• Industrial foam materials
• Mattress foam components
• Upholstery foam supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Bassano Bresciano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Polyurethane Foam Product Sales: Pelma generates revenue through the direct sale of polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam products. The company manufactures and sells foam in multiple formats: raw blocks (2, 3, or 4 meters in length), semi-finished products (sheets, rolls, shaped pieces), and finished products. Products are sold across diverse application markets including bedding, comfort furniture, packaging, and soundproofing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pelma S.p.A. manufactures polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam (PU foam) from primary raw materials polyol, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and water. The company produces foam in three formats — raw blocks (2, 3, or 4 meters in length), semi-finished products (sheets, rolls, shaped pieces via computerized cutting), and finished products — across ten branded product families (Thermofresh, Climafresh, The Foam, Everflex, Allsoft, Safety, SlowEmotion, Soffio Plus, Natura, Touch) covering densities from 15 to 50+ kg/m³. Foam is sold B2B to manufacturers in bedding, comfort furniture, packaging, interior soundproofing, automotive, construction, healthcare, and sports/gymnastics sectors, with global shipping.

Product overview

Pelma SpA is an Italian company founded in 1962 and headquartered in Bassano Bresciano (Brescia), Italy, that serves as a national leader in the production of polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam. The product portfolio consists of ten distinct foam product families — Thermofresh, Climafresh, The Foam, Everflex, Allsoft, Safety, SlowEmotion, Soffio Plus, Natura, and Touch — each differentiated by density range, hardness/portance, elasticity, and functional technologies (thermal regulation via PCM microcapsules, silver-based antimicrobial treatment, flame resistance, viscoelastic memory foam, ultra-lightweight, and vegetable oil-based renewable formulations). Products span densities from 1 kPa softness to 50 kg/m³ and serve four primary end-use segments: Bedding (mattresses and pillows), Comfort (sofas and armchairs), Protective Packaging, and Interior Soundproofing. Pelma produces foams from raw blocks to semi-finished and finished products, with proprietary VPF (Variable Pressure Foaming) technology enabling eco-compatible, water-only expansion without harmful blowing agents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thermofresh: Flexible Polyurethane Foams characterized by thermal and hygienic benefits, using PCM microcapsules and Ultrafresh treatment with silver for antibacterial-antimould properties.
• Climafresh
• The Foam
• Everflex
• Allsoft
• Safety
• SlowEmotion
• Soffio Plus
• Natura
• Touch

Products and services

• Raw Polyurethane Foam Blocks Polyether-based flexible polyurethane foam produced as raw blocks (2, 3, or 4 meters in length), serving as the base intermediate product from which semi-finished and finished foam components are derived. Sold to B2B manufacturing clients in bedding, furniture, packaging, automotive, and construction sectors.
• Semi-Finished and Finished Polyurethane Foam Products

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminates 100% of auxiliary expanding agents (CFC/HCFC, methylene chloride, CO2) through VPF technology
• +4 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dipartimento di Chimica Industriale "Toso Montanari", Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe R&D Laboratory works in association with the Industrial Chemistry Department 'Toso Montanari' at Bologna University for the study, characterization, and certification of polyurethane foam formulations. This collaboration supports product innovation and adherence to stringent quality and safety standards.
• Major European Institutes (for foam certification)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPelma's R&D Laboratory works with the most important European institutes for the creation and certification of foam products, supporting quality assurance and market access across European markets.
• AIPEF (Associazione Italiana Produttori Poliuretano Espanso Flessibile)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIPEF is the Italian association for flexible polyurethane foam manufacturers, representing a large majority of national producers. Dr. Marco Pelucchi (Pelma's CEO) serves as President of AIPEF, elected unanimously. AIPEF is part of EUROPUR and has been one of the most proactive members in the different Working Groups.
• EUROPUR (European Association of Flexible Polyurethane Foam Manufacturers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded in 1966 and headquartered in Brussels, EUROPUR represents the European flexible polyurethane foam sector and provides a platform for discussing production and use issues. Dr. Marco Pelucchi (Pelma's CEO) sits on the EUROPUR Board. Pelma presented the 'Poliuretano è' marketing project at EUROPUR General Assemblies in Paris and Berlin.
• PerDormireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPerDormire distributes Climafresh branded flexible polyurethane foam exclusively through perdormire.com. This is a selective distribution arrangement for Pelma's Climafresh thermal and hygienic foam products.
• Leading Raw Materials and Additives SupplierscoreTechnology or IntegrationPelma collaborates with major raw material and additive suppliers for R&D activities including new product development and formulation improvements. The company notes support from 'all the major producers of raw materials and additives used in the sector.'
• Leading Companies (for Natura® development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNatura® polyurethane foam with vegetable oils was developed in collaboration with leading companies (Aziende di primaria importanza) to bring renewable resources into the polyurethane foam market with high physical-mechanical properties.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Covestro: Global materials science company producing polyurethane raw materials and systems for foam manufacturers. Upstream peer supplying polyols and MDI/TDI-based systems into the flexible foam value chain in which Pelma operates.
• Huntsman: Global chemical manufacturer of MDI, polyols, and polyurethane systems for flexible and rigid foam applications. Adjacent incumbent serving the same end-markets through chemical intermediates rather than finished flexible PU foam products.
• Armacell: Global leader in flexible elastomeric and PET foams for insulation and engineered foams. Broader incumbent in the foam industry with overlapping technical foam manufacturing capabilities but focused more on insulation than bedding/comfort segments.
• BASF: Global chemical giant producing polyurethane systems, polyols, and specialty additives for foam manufacturers. Upstream/adjacent incumbent that both supplies raw materials to and competes in integrated foam applications.

Direct peers

• Carpenter Co. US-headquartered global leader in polyurethane foam and comfort products for bedding, furniture, and specialty applications. Comparable in flexible PU foam manufacturing and branded product portfolio, with much larger scale.
• FXI: US-based manufacturer of polyurethane and specialty foams for bedding, furniture, healthcare, and industrial markets. Direct peer with similar flexible foam technology base and broad product portfolio.
• Orsa Foam: Italian competitor specializing in flexible polyurethane foam for mattresses, furniture, and technical applications. Direct domestic peer to Pelma in the Italian market, competing head-to-head on similar densities and product grades.
• Recticel: Belgian-headquartered European leader in flexible polyurethane foam manufacturing for bedding, furniture, and insulation applications. Closest direct peer given overlapping flexible PU foam product lines and pan-European B2B distribution, with broader geographic footprint and larger scale than Pelma.
• FoamPartner: Swiss/German specialty flexible and technical foam manufacturer serving comfort, acoustics, and specialty industrial markets across Europe. Comparable in flexible PU foam range with emphasis on performance-differentiated products similar to Pelma's Thermofresh and Safety lines.
• Vita Group: UK-based global manufacturer of flexible polyurethane foam serving bedding, furniture, and automotive markets. Comparable to Pelma in product category, with significantly larger scale and broader international operations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/poliuretiamo
• Instagraminstagram.com/pelma_spa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Pelma