Forain

What Forain does

Forain S.r.l. is an Italian, family-owned engineering and manufacturing firm founded in 1975 in Milan by brothers Giuseppe and Roberto Ferrari, specializing in modular skid-mounted systems for natural gas treatment in the Oil & Gas sector. The company designs, fabricates, and commissions filtration, separation, heating, measurement, and conditioning equipment — including filter separators (FSO/FSV models), vane-type separators, three-phase separators, cyclone separators, shell-and-tube heat exchangers, Quick Opening Closures, and complete Pressure Reduction and Measurement Stations (PRMS). All equipment is engineered to international codes (ASME VIII Div.1/2, EN 13445, PED, ATEX) and certified to ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, with a 3D solid-modeling design platform developed in-house over the past decade.

Forain sells primarily to global EPC contractors and end-user operators in Oil & Gas, with 90-95% of revenue generated from exports across North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates from a headquarters in Milan and wholly-owned subsidiaries in Turkey (Istanbul, opened 2012) and Singapore (2012), with a partner branch in Bangladesh via M.S. International. The go-to-market leverages direct enterprise sales, vendor-list inclusion with major EPC contractors such as JGC, SICIM, and Snam, and project-specific quotations for turnkey engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning work. Named end-customers include JGC Corporation (Algeria), BOTAS (Saros FSRU, Turkey), GOGC (Georgia), Snam (Piombino, Italy), and the Cap Des Biches 300 MW combined-cycle power station in Senegal, with equipment installed in almost all countries over the company's 50-year history.

Revenue is project-based and order-driven, with disclosed annual turnover of approximately €17 million as of 2023 from a 2023 European Business interview. The company added a new product line in February 2024 — a Propane Ignition Gas Skid for turbine ignition — and continues to expand its LNG/FSRU Gas Conditioning Package business. Second-generation Ferrari family members (Silvia Ferrari as CFO/Board Member, Giorgia Ferrari as Commercial Manager) have led management since 2010 alongside Sales Manager Fabrizio Vitali, with no external institutional investment or public listing disclosed.

Name

Forain

Legal name

Forain S.r.l.

Website

https://forain.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Forain S.r.l. is an Italian, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1975 that designs, fabricates, and commissions modular skid-mounted gas filtration, separation, heating, and measurement systems for global Oil & Gas EPC contractors and operators, with 90-95% of revenue from exports.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Oil & Gas Processing Equipment

NAICS

Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333132), Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (332410), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391)

SIC

Oil & Gas Field Machinery & Equipment (3533), Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)

akta.pro primary industry

Gas Processing Plant Equipment & Skids (Separators, Heat Exchangers, Turboexpanders) (EUAAABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Process Skids & Modular Process Systems (Packaged Units) (IMAHAEAH), Heat Transfer Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Boilers, Condensers) (IMAHAEAC), Valve Sites, Drip Pots & Appurtenances (EUAJABAF)

Keywords

• Gas filtration equipment
• Oil and gas treatment
• Modular skid systems
• Pressure vessels manufacturing
• Gas processing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Equipment and Project Sales: Sale of custom-built pressure equipment, filtration systems, separators, heaters, and complete skid-mounted packages. Revenue is project-based, typically for large infrastructure projects in Oil & Gas sector. The company offers end-to-end services including engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and after-sales support.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Forain designs and manufactures custom-engineered equipment and modular skid-mounted packages for oil and gas treatment, including filtration, separation, heating, pressure reduction, measurement, and gas conditioning systems. The company supplies both individual equipment units and complete turnkey plants (PRMS) to global EPC contractors and end-user operators in the oil and gas industry.

Product overview

Forain è uno specialista italiano nel settore Oil & Gas fondato nel 1975, che opera come fornitore di sistemi modulari e impianti chiavi in mano per l'industria Oil & Gas, sia onshore che offshore. Il portafoglio prodotti comprende quattro aree principali: (1) Filtrazione & Separazione, che include filtri a cartucce, filtri separatori (modello FSO/FSV), separatori assoluti, separatori a pacco lamellare (tipo SL/SLV), separatori trifase, separatori a cicloni, separatori di degassificazione, slug catcher, wire mesh demister e applicazioni marine; (2) Riscaldamento, che comprende riscaldatori indiretti a bagno d'acqua e d'olio, scambiatori a fascio tubiero, riscaldatori diretti elettrici e sistemi ad acqua surriscaldata; (3) Impianti di trattamento gas, che include skid modulari e impianti chiavi in mano (PRMS) con sistemi di filtrazione, separazione, riscaldamento, riduzione pressione, misura e filtrazione finale; (4) Oleodotti & gasdotti, che comprende trappole di lancio e ricevimento Pigs, trappole bidirezionali, chiusure rapide (QOC) e accessori. L'azienda offre anche servizi di commissioning, fornitura di ricambi (elementi filtranti) e supporto post-vendita.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cartridge Filters (Filtri a cartucce) Filters for the removal of solid particles from gas streams. Built with carbon steel or stainless steel housings and fiberglass or synthetic filter elements. Separation efficiency up to 99.95% at 3 microns. Used in oil and gas applications where solid particle removal from gas is required.
• Filter Separators (Filtri separatori) - FSO/FSV Models Two-stage filter separators designed for high-efficiency removal of solid particles and liquid droplets from gas streams. First stage uses replaceable filter cartridges for solid particle removal; second stage uses a vane pack for liquid droplet separation. Guaranteed to remove 100% of droplets from 5 microns and 99.5% of droplets from 0.5-5 microns. Sold to oil and gas operators and EPC contractors.
• Absolute Separators (Separatori assoluti) Two-stage separators for high-efficiency removal of liquid and solid particles from gas. The first stage uses a vane pack, and the second stage uses a set of coalescing filters. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Vane Separators (Separatori a pacco lamellare) - SL/SLV Models Vane-type separators that use louvered pack elements to remove liquid particles from gas streams. Type SL with inlet/outlet nozzles on the same line; Type SLV with lower inlet and upper outlet for high liquid loads. Separation efficiency of 99.95% for particles down to 8 microns. Available with demister pads for agglomerating small particles. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Three-Phase Separators (Separatori trifase) Three-phase separators for separating gas, oil, and water in the petroleum and gas industry. Three-stage process: primary phase for bulk liquid removal, secondary phase for gravity-based liquid separation by weight, and coalescence phase for droplet removal from gas. Sold to upstream oil and gas operators and EPC contractors.
• Cyclone Separators (Separatori a cicloni) Cyclone separators that use rotation and gravity to remove liquid or solid particles of 10 microns or more from gas streams, with low pressure drop of approximately 1%. Available in horizontal or vertical configurations. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Degassing Separator (Separatore di degassificazione) Horizontal two-phase separator mounted on a skid, designed to separate gas from crude oil at the wellhead and accurately measure the separated gas and crude oil streams. Sold to upstream oil and gas operators, including through the SICIM S.p.A reference project.
• Slug Catcher Slug catcher vessel that absorbs sudden liquid slug volumes (hydraulic slugs) in multiphase gas pipelines to protect downstream equipment from surges. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Wire Mesh Demister Wire mesh demister elements that remove entrained liquid droplets from gas streams and increase the separation efficiency of separators. Sold to oil and gas operators as a standalone component.
• Marine Filtration and Separation Applications Marine-specific filtration and separation solutions designed for oil and gas applications in marine environments, including offshore and shipboard installations. Sold to oil and gas operators in marine settings.
• Indirect Water Bath Heaters Indirect water bath heaters used to heat process fluids to the temperatures required by process specifications in oil and gas treatment systems. Sold to oil and gas operators and EPC contractors.
• Indirect Oil Bath Heaters Indirect heaters that use oil as the heat transfer medium to heat process fluids in oil and gas treatment applications. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers Heat transfer devices consisting of multiple tubes mounted inside a cylindrical shell, used to transfer heat between two or more fluids. Designed per ASME VIII div.1 or Div.2, BS 5500, EN 13445, and TEMA standards. Normally made in carbon steel or stainless steel. Installed globally over 44+ years of operation. Sold to oil and gas operators and EPC contractors.
• Direct Electric Heaters Direct electric heaters used for the direct heating of process fluids in gas treatment applications. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Superheated Water Heating Systems Heating systems that use superheated water as the heat transfer medium for industrial applications in oil and gas treatment. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Gas Treatment Skid Pre-assembled modular skid systems for natural gas treatment, integrating KOD separators, cartridge filters, heat exchangers, pressure reduction and measurement systems, and final coalescing filters. Delivered factory-tested to reduce on-site work. Reference project delivered for Gemlik Gubre Urea Fertilizer plant in Turkey.
• Turnkey Pressure Reduction and Measurement Stations (PRMS) Complete gas treatment stations for pressure reduction and measurement from the main pipeline, including separation/filtration, heating, pressure reduction, measurement, final filtration, drain collection tank, and flare. Complete engineering (process, civil, mechanical, electrical, control and automation) is performed by Forain. Sold as turnkey packages to oil and gas operators and EPC contractors.
• Gas Conditioning Package for LNG/FSRU/FLNG Projects Integrated systems for the treatment, control, measurement, and safety of natural gas in LNG, regasification, and FLNG projects. Designed as skid-mounted packages to support modular construction of LNG facilities. Sold to LNG developers, EPC contractors, and operators.
• Pig Launchers and Receivers (Trappole di lancio e ricevimento Pigs) Pig launchers and receivers used for pipeline cleaning and inspection. Launchers release pigs at one end of the pipeline and receivers recover them at the other end. Available up to 80 inch diameter and 2500 rating. Sold to pipeline operators and EPC contractors.
• Bidirectional Pig Traps - Forain PL and PR Models Bidirectional traps used for the launching and receiving of spheres and pigs for cleaning, monitoring, and maintenance of pipelines. Sold to pipeline operators and EPC contractors, including Nigerian pipeline applications.
• Quick Opening Closure (QOC) - Chiusure Rapide Fast-opening closure system for pressure vessels comprising hub, cover, and locking mechanism with appropriate sealing. Opening and closing time is significantly lower than standard blind flanges, reducing maintenance time. Designed per ASME VIII div.1 & div.2 and ISO EN 13445. Can be certified per PED and ATEX with CE marking. Sold to oil and gas operators.
• Filter Elements - Replacement Cartridges (Spare Parts) Custom-designed Forain replacement filter cartridges using specific combinations of filtering materials for specific applications. Uniform density gradient throughout the filter medium is achieved through an exclusive process to ensure longer life and high filtration capacity. Support mesh prevents collapse under high differential pressure. Standard cartridges remove particles down to 1 micron. Available in white cotton and polypropylene with carbon or stainless steel structure. Sold globally as aftermarket spare parts to existing Forain filter customers.
• Natural Gas Interconnection System (Sistema di gas naturale) Complete natural gas interconnection system that separates and filters the gas stream before delivery to gas turbines. Includes dual filter separators, condensate collection tank, cold flare, and blocking valve. Delivered as an integrated skid, with reference delivery for Singapore OCGT Meranti power plant.
• Propane Ignition Gas Skid (Sistema di avviamento a gas propano) Skid system required for main turbine ignition when natural gas is not available at the conditions required by the turbine. Integrates a pump and an electric heater (vaporizer) to deliver propane at the required pressure. Launched in February 2024 as a new product. Sold to power generation operators and EPC contractors.
• Metering and Filtration Station for Combined Cycle Power (300 MW class) Skid-mounted station for natural gas treatment comprising inlet, separation/filtration, measurement, regulation, heating, and condensate collection sections. Reference delivery was provided by the Forain Turkey subsidiary for the Cap Des Biches 300 MW combined cycle power station in Senegal.
• Fiscal Metering Station for LNG/FSRU Terminals Fiscal measurement and analysis system for LNG/FSRU terminals. Includes a main metering station, metering lines, instrument shelter, analyzers (gas chromatographs, dew point, O2, H2S analyzers), HVAC system, and SCADA control. Reference delivery includes the BOTAS Saros FSRU Terminal in Edirne, Turkey.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90-95% of revenue from international markets
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• M.S. International (Bangladesh)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBranch office partnership in Bangladesh. M.S. International represents Forain in Bangladesh market, handling local project support and customer contact. Contact: [email protected]

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CECO Environmental: US-based provider of filtration, separation, and emissions-control equipment, including gas-coalescer and filtration products for upstream and midstream oil & gas. Direct competitor to Forain's separator and filter-element lines, serving similar EPC and operator customers.
• NATCO Group: Specialist in oil, gas, and water separation and treatment equipment for upstream and midstream applications. Highly comparable offering to Forain's three-phase separators, slug catchers, and produced-water treatment systems, with similar focus on modular process packages.
• Pietro Fiorentini: Italian-headquartered manufacturer of gas pressure regulators, metering stations, and gas treatment skids for the oil & gas value chain. Closest direct competitor to Forain given shared Italian base, similar customer base (utilities, EPCs), and overlapping product scope including PRMS-type installations.
• Pentair: Global water and fluid treatment specialist with industrial filtration solutions used in oil & gas processing. Overlaps with Forain's cartridge and media filtration product lines serving similar industrial and upstream customers.

Broad incumbents

• GEA Group: Diversified industrial separation and process equipment manufacturer serving oil & gas, food, and chemicals. Relevant comparator on three-phase separation and process skid technology for midstream/downstream gas treatment.
• Cameron (SLB): Global oilfield services and process equipment supplier with a large installed base of separation, processing, and wellhead equipment. Competes with Forain on larger separation and processing packages for major international projects.
• SPX Flow: Engineered solutions provider for process separation, mixing, and filtration across energy, food, and industrial markets. Competes with Forain in oil & gas filtration and separation equipment and modular skid offerings.
• Honeywell UOP: Major licensor and supplier of oil & gas processing technology, gas treatment, and modular process units. Overlaps with Forain on gas conditioning and processing systems but operates at a much larger scale across refining and gas processing.
• Atlas Copco Gas & Process: Division of Atlas Copco providing gas and process equipment including filtration, drying, and separation solutions for natural gas applications. Comparable to Forain on gas filtration and compression-side conditioning packages.
• Pall Corporation (Danaher): Global filtration, separation, and purification major serving oil & gas, chemicals, and industrial markets. Competes with Forain in the high-spec filter-separator and coalescing-cartridge segments but offers a much broader product portfolio and global service network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/forainitaly

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Forain