What SICIT does

SICIT Group S.p.A. is an Italian specialty chemicals company founded in 1960 in Chiampo (Vicenza district) that operates a circular-economy business model, converting tannery-industry by-products (carniccio, hair, pezzamino, rifili, rasature) into three product lines through proprietary thermal hydrolysis: (1) protein hydrolysate-based biostimulants for agriculture, marketed both as animal-origin amino acid/peptide products and as plant-origin extracts from marine algae (via the 2023 PatBio acquisition) and moringa; (2) protein hydrolysate-based gypsum retarders (PlastRetard family — PE, XCP, VP, L, XCL) that extend plaster setting times from 5-15 minutes to 60-180 minutes for the construction industry; and (3) refined animal fat for biodiesel feedstock or direct combustion in energy generation. The company claims world-leader status in protein hydrolysates and operates two automated Italian plants (Arzignano and Chiampo), a greenfield Mexican site under construction, a Chilean algae-extraction facility (PatBio), and sales subsidiaries in the USA, China (Tianjin, Shanghai), and India, reaching over 70 countries.

The commercial model is sales-led B2B with three distinct customer segments — agrochemical partners that buy biostimulant ingredients for their formulations, multinational gypsum and plasterboard producers that procure retarders directly or via distributors, and energy companies sourcing fat biofuel. SICIT positions itself around "one product for one company" custom formulations and is supported by three specialized R&D laboratories (chemical-extractive, agronomic, quality control via the SICIT Chemitech subsidiary) that analyze 85,000-90,000 parameters and ~8,000 samples annually. Revenue mechanics are not publicly disclosed; pricing is quote-based and varies by formulation and volume.

The company was listed on Borsa Italiana in 2019 via SPAC business combination at approximately €100 million, transferred to MTA STAR in June 2020, and was taken private in August 2021 through a voluntary public tender offer by Circular BidCo S.p.A. (backed by NB Renaissance and Intesa Holding funds) at €16.80 per share. Headcount is reported at 51-100 employees, and the company holds a broad certification stack including ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 14067, ISCC EU, Bioagricert organic certification, UNI/PdR 125:2022 gender equality, and three consecutive years of EcoVadis Platinum (91/100, top 1% of rated companies).

Name

SICIT

Legal name

SICIT Group S.p.A.

Website

https://sicitgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SICIT Group is an Italian specialty chemicals company that converts tannery by-products into three B2B product lines: protein hydrolysate biostimulants for agriculture, gypsum retarders for construction, and animal fat biofuel for energy. It operates two Italian plants, a growing international subsidiary network across 70+ countries, and serves major agrochemical and construction-industry customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty biochemicals from animal by-products (biostimulants, gypsum retarders, fat biofuel)

NAICS

Fats and Oils Refining and Blending (311225), Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122)

SIC

Fats & Oils (2070), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Collagen, Gelatin & Protein Hydrolysates (Animal-Derived) (AFANAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gelatin & Collagen Hydrolysates (Animal-Based Gelling Agents) (AFAJABAD), Agar, Carrageenan & Alginates (Seaweed Hydrocolloids) (AFAJABAE), Bio-based Animal Feed Ingredients & Nutrition Co-products (e.g., DDGS, protein meals, yeast) (EUAAAIAI)

Keywords

• Agricultural biostimulants
• Protein hydrolysates
• Gypsum retarders
• Animal fat biofuel
• Tannery by-product recycling

Headquarters

HQ city

Chiampo

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Biostimulants Sales: Sale of protein hydrolysate-based biostimulants for agriculture, sold as finished products or key ingredients to agrochemical companies. Distributed in liquid, powder, granules, tablets, and coated forms. Custom formulations created for specific customer requirements.
2. Gypsum Retarder Sales: Sale of protein hydrolyzate-based retarders for the gypsum and plasterboard industry, available in liquid and powder formulations. Sold directly to industrial producers and through distributors.
3. Fat Biofuel Sales: Sale of refined animal fat for biofuel production to energy companies, or direct use as fuel in engines for electricity and heat generation.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SICIT produces protein hydrolysates by transforming collagen and keratin from tannery industry by-products (carniccio, pelo, pezzamino, rifili, rasature) into three commercial product lines: agricultural biostimulants (animal-origin amino acids/peptides plus plant-origin algae and moringa extracts), protein hydrolyzate-based retarders for the gypsum and plasterboard industry (PlastRetard PE, XCP, VP, L, XCL), and refined animal fat for biofuel production. The company sells these as finished or customised formulations to enterprise customers in agribusiness, construction and energy, supported by Italian production plants in Arzignano and Chiampo and subsidiaries in the USA, China, Mexico, India and Chile.

Product overview

SICIT Group is a world leader in protein hydrolysates, operating as a circular economy pioneer that transforms collagen and keratin from tanning industry by-products into high-value products. The company offers three core product lines: (1) Biostimulants for agriculture derived from animal-origin protein hydrolysates and plant-origin algae/moringa extracts, serving as sustainable alternatives to conventional fertilizers; (2) Gypsum/Plaster retarders (PlastRetard product family - PE, XCP, VP, L, XCL) based on protein hydrolysates that extend setting times in construction applications; and (3) Fat Biofuel from refined animal fat for biodiesel and energy production. The product portfolio is supported by the SICIT Chemitech quality control subsidiary and the 2023-acquired PatBio brand for seaweed-based biostimulants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biostimulants (Animal Origin – Protein Hydrolysates) Biostimulants derived from animal-origin protein hydrolysates, produced from collagen-rich tanning by-products (carniccio, hair, pezzamino, trimmings, shavings) and rich in amino acids (glycine and proline) and peptides that stimulate plant growth, vitality and resistance to abiotic stress; sold as finished products or as key ingredients to agrochemical partners in liquid, powder, granule, tablet and coated forms.
• Biostimulants (Plant Origin – Algae and Moringa Extracts) Plant-origin biostimulants derived from marine algae extracts harvested in the Patagonia Sea and from Moringa oleifera Lam., developed and distributed through the acquired Patagonia Biotecnología (PatBio) subsidiary for sustainable agriculture applications.
• PlastRetard PE (Powder Retarder for Plaster) Powder-form protein hydrolysate-based gypsum retarder for plaster and mortar applications, extending setting time from 5–15 minutes to 60–180 minutes and enabling proper application and finishing.
• PlastRetard XCP (Powder Retarder for Plaster) Powder-form high-performance gypsum retarder for plaster applications in the construction industry.
• PlastRetard VP (Powder Retarder for Plaster) Powder-form gypsum retarder for plaster applications in the construction industry.
• PlastRetard L (Liquid Retarder for Plasterboard) Liquid-form protein hydrolysate-based gypsum retarder designed for the plasterboard production industry, integrating into the production process with uniform application and controlled reaction.
• PlastRetard XCL (Liquid Retarder for Plasterboard) Liquid-form high-performance gypsum retarder for plasterboard manufacturing, ensuring optimal mixture fluidity in the mixer and enabling rapid hardening at the end of production.
• Fat Biofuel (Refined Animal Fat for Biodiesel and Energy) Refined animal fat (esterified in a dedicated plant) extracted from carniccio (tannery by-product with approximately 15% fat content), supplied to energy companies as raw material for biodiesel production or used directly in engines for electricity and heat generation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Gypsum setting time extension from 5-15 minutes to 60-180 minutes
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Omya TurchiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Starting January 2026, Omya Turchia distributes SICIT's entire range of bio-based high-performance additives for the Turkish gypsum and plasterboard market. This agreement consolidates and expands a long-standing global partnership, bringing SICIT technologies closer to local producers through Omya's extensive market presence and technical expertise.
• CEDRIC Project ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Interreg project (2024-2026) creating a sustainable and cross-border agro-ecosystem leveraging root microbiome biodiversity. Aims to transplant microbiomes from healthy plant roots into poor/exploited soils to improve soil structure, microbiology, nutrient density, and carbon levels.
• PatBio (Patagonia Biotecnología S.p.A.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Acquired in 2023, PatBio is a Chilean company producing biostimulants for agriculture from algae cultivated and harvested in the Patagonia Sea. The acquisition expanded SICIT's product portfolio to include plant-based biostimulants and developed new extraction processes for marine algae, operational since 2024.
• Consorzio Innovaa - Innovazione AgroalimentareminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Project 'Future Agriculture and Functional Foods' (F.A.&A.F.) funded by Veneto Region POR FESR 2014-2020. Involves over 30 partners including SMEs, large enterprises, universities (Padova, Verona, Udine, Milan), and CNR research institutes. Total approved expenditure of €2,860,626.79 with expected contribution of €1,914,047.75.
• University of Padova (DAFNAE, TESAF, DIBIO, BCA, DSB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborations with various departments of University of Padova for agronomic research, microbiome studies, food quality evaluation, and biomedical research related to gut microbiota.
• University of Verona, University of Udine, University of MilanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnerships for research collaboration in agricultural sciences, biotechnology, and molecular sciences.
• University of Pavia and Istituto Zooprofilattico SperimentaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative development and validation of analytical protocol for verifying molecular weights of protein hydrolysates per EU Regulation 142/2011.
• CNR - ICMATE and INminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with National Research Council institutes for materials chemistry and neuroscience research.
• EBIC (European Biostimulant Industry Council)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing visibility and collaboration in the European biostimulants sector.
• CRA (Consiglio per la ricerca e la sperimentazione in agricoltura)minorOthersAgricultural research council membership for industry collaboration and research advancement.
• Confindustria VicenzaminorOthersLocal industry association membership for the Vicenza district.
• Enel EnergiaminorOthersSupplier of 100% renewable electricity to SICIT operations.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Haifa Group: Israeli multinational specialty plant-nutrition company offering water-soluble fertilizers, controlled-release fertilizers, and biostimulants with global distribution. A broader incumbent that overlaps with SICIT in the high-end crop-nutrition and biostimulant segments.
• Sika Group: Swiss specialty chemicals company serving construction and industry, including concrete and gypsum admixtures, retarders, and additives. The most relevant broad incumbent for SICIT's PlastRetard gypsum-retarder line, given Sika's global construction-chemicals footprint.
• Sipcam-Oxon: Italian agrochemical company with crop-protection, biostimulant, and specialty-nutrition product lines, serving European and international markets. Competitor in agrochemical channels where SICIT's biostimulant ingredients are also distributed; both are mid-sized Italian ag-input players.
• UPL: Indian-headquartered global agrochemical major with a growing biosolutions/biostimulant portfolio and a deeply established distribution network in emerging markets (India, Latin America, Africa). Comparable both as a competing biostimulant supplier and as a potential channel partner for SICIT's products in those geographies.

Direct peers

• Darling Ingredients: US-based global renderer of animal by-products into proteins, fats, and fuels, including tallow, bone meal, and refined fats for biodiesel/renewable diesel. Closest comparable for SICIT's rendering/protein-hydrolysis and animal-fat biofuel businesses, especially under circular-economy and renewable-fuel regulatory frameworks.
• Hello Nature (formerly Italpollina): Italian biostimulant and organic-input manufacturer with global reach, offering hydrolysates, humic/fulvic acids, and plant-extract-based products. Shares SICIT's position in high-value agricultural biostimulants and competes for similar agrochemical distribution partners across Europe.
• Tradecorp (Rovensa): Spanish biostimulant and crop-nutrition company, now part of Rovensa, distributing specialty plant inputs across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Closely comparable in product portfolio (biostimulants, specialty fertilizers) and in its multi-region B2B distribution model.
• Biolchim: Italian biostimulant, fertilizer, and micronutrient manufacturer with a strong specialty-crop focus and international distribution. The product and customer overlap makes it a directly comparable specialty biostimulant peer, particularly in the European and Mediterranean markets.
• Valagro: Italian biostimulant specialist acquired by Syngenta in 2020; produces plant-derived biostimulants (including algae-based lines) and specialty crop nutrition products. Competitor in the global biostimulant market and a primary example of the agrochemical-major vertical-integration risk SICIT faces.
• ILSA Group: Italian producer of biostimulants, organic fertilizers, and protein hydrolysates derived from agricultural and animal by-products, headquartered in Arzignano — the same tanning district as SICIT. The closest direct comparable given the shared feedstock base, technology overlap (protein hydrolysis), and primary market (European agriculture biostimulants).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries7 records

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 SICIT