What Leagel Srl does

Leagel Srl is a San Marino-headquartered manufacturer of semi-finished ingredients for artisanal gelato and pastry, operating as a subsidiary of International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). The company was established circa 2005 by Tonino Leardini and Giovanni Calabrò, with a separate South American production subsidiary (Leagel America Do Sul Ltda) founded in 2001 in Sete Lagoas, Brazil. Leagel develops and manufactures bases, pastes, variegates, toppings, and decorations — including signature lines such as Loveria (cream spreads in 21 flavors), Stickaway (gelato coatings), FRUITCUB3 (concentrated fruit pastes with 70%+ fruit content), Fruitube (frozen fruit tubes), Kefir Gelato, Gelato Vegan, Ice Mix (alcoholic gelato bases), Crumble, and Linea Gold (premium PDO/PGI products). The company's core technology centers on processing methods that preserve natural flavors and aromas — particularly for pistachio, fruits, and nut-based ingredients — developed with research support from the Faculty of Food Science and Technology at the University of Bologna and produced under ISO 9001:2015, FSSC 22000, and HACCP protocols in collaboration with the San Marino Sanitary Control Authority.

The company serves a primary customer base of artisanal gelateries, with secondary segments including pastry shops (pasticcerie), Ho.Re.Ca. operators, and gelato startup entrepreneurs across Europe, South America, and (most recently) Asia. Revenue is generated predominantly through B2B ingredient sales distributed via a direct field agent and distributor network, an owned e-commerce platform (shop.leagel.com), and event-driven sales at major trade fairs — most notably Sigep Rimini and Sigep Asia, where Leagel operates as a Platinum Sponsor. A secondary revenue stream comes from the Tonino Leardini Gelato Master School, which delivers paid theoretical and practical gelato training in-person and via webinar.

Leagel's go-to-market combines enterprise field sales with multilingual content marketing: downloadable catalogs in 10 languages, recipe books (ricettari) covering dozens of product categories, video recipes on YouTube, and an active presence across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the company consistently enters new product and format categories — Base Lactose Free 130 and Base Infinity 100 in 2025, Fruity and Veggy Granita, and the 2026 Japanese Cheesecake application — alongside recurring Pistacchio Masters activations at Sigep 2024 and 2025.

Name

Leagel Srl

Legal name

LEAGEL S.R.L.

Website

https://leagel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Leagel Srl is a San Marino-based IFF subsidiary that manufactures semi-finished ingredients — bases, pastes, variegates, toppings, and coatings — for artisanal gelato makers and pastry shops across Europe, South America, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Gelato and Pastry Ingredients

NAICS

Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing (31193), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)

SIC

Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts (2024), Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Gelato Manufacturing (AFAHAEAD)

Keywords

• Artisanal gelato ingredients
• Semifinished pastry products
• Gelato bases and pastes
• Gelateria B2B supplies
• Frozen confectionery ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Chiesanuova

HQ country

San Marino

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Ingredient & Semifinished Product Sales: Leagel's primary revenue stream is the manufacture and sale of semifinished ingredients, bases, pastes, variegates, toppings, decorations, and specialty mixes to artisanal gelateries, pastry shops, and restaurants. Products are sold via a direct agent network, distributors, e-commerce, and at trade events. The company serves gelateries worldwide with a comprehensive product portfolio spanning milk bases, fruit products, nut pastes, chocolate-based ingredients, vegan options, and finished decorations.
2. Training & Education Services: Revenue is generated through the Tonino Leardini Gelato Master School, which offers theoretical and practical courses for gelato artisans. The school uses a one-to-one method with multimedia technology, and courses are available both in-person and via webinar. Courses cover gelato balance, raw material use, structure, merceology, pasteurization, conservation, and presentation techniques.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Leagel manufactures and sells semifinished ingredients and bases for artisanal gelato and pastry — including milk bases, fruit pastes, nut pestos, variegates, toppings, coatings, vegan and lactose-free lines, and alcoholic gelato bases — to gelaterias, pastry shops, and hospitality operators worldwide through a direct agent and distributor network, an owned e-commerce shop, and a Brazilian production subsidiary. The portfolio is complemented by training services delivered through the Tonino Leardini Gelato Master School.

Product overview

Leagel Srl is a San Marino-based manufacturer of semi-finished products and ingredients for artisan gelato and pastry. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio organized into product lines including: Basi Latte (milk base mixes in various formulations including lactose-free and vegan options), Loveria (cream spreads in 21 flavors for cremini), Stickaway (coatings for stick ice cream), Fruitube (frozen fruit tubes), FRUITCUB3 (concentrated fruit pastes with 70%+ fruit content), Fruity and Veggy (VEGAN OK certified powder products for sorbets and granite), Kefir Gelato (probiotic fermented milk gelato), Gelato Vegan (certified VeganOk product line), Ice Mix (alcoholic gelato base), Crumble (crunchy toppings in 5 flavors), I Pesti (artisanal nut pestos), and Linea Gold (premium products with protected designation ingredients). The portfolio also includes zHero (toppings without added sugars), Profumi per Gelato (essential oil fragrances), Pistacchio Collection (complete pistachio product line), and Iced Latte & Smoothies (beverage line). The products serve artisan gelaterias and pastry shops globally through direct sales and distribution networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Loveria: Cream product line for artisan gelato in multiple flavors (Classica, Cioccolato Bianco, Nocciola, Pistacchio, Cioccolato Fondente, Caramello, Latte, Caffè)
• Stickaway
• Gelato Vegan
• FRUITCUB3
• Fruitube
• Easy Crem
• Ice Mix
• Crumble
• Linea Gold
• Kefir Gelato
• zHero

Products and services

• Basi Latte (Milk Base Mixes)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of experience applied to product development and customer support
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Gelato World Cup – Asia SelectionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Leagel serves as Platinum Sponsor of the Gelato World Cup – Asia Selection at SIGEP Asia 2026. This partnership aligns Leagel with the premier international gelato competition in Asia, reinforcing the company's commitment to advancing artisanal gelato culture globally.
• Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of BolognacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeagel's R&D staff, coordinated by Dr. Roberto Leardini, developed specialized processing methods with the support and research studies provided by the Faculty of Food Science and Technology at the University of Bologna. This collaboration has produced unique product characteristics in the artisanal gelato ingredients sector.
• AmarelliminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeagel partnered with Amarelli (a renowned Italian licorice producer) to develop new licorice products for gelato, bringing a classic ingredient back into the spotlight in the gelateria world.
• San Marino Sanitary Control Authority (Organo di Controllo Sanitario della Repubblica di San Marino)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn collaboration with the San Marino Sanitary Control Authority, Leagel carefully selects raw materials and continuously supervises production cycles to guarantee consistently high-quality products. This partnership ensures Leagel's rigorous quality standards and sanitary compliance.
• SGS Italia SpacoreOthersSGS Italia Spa serves as the certification body for Leagel's quality management system (ISO 9001:2015) and food safety system (FSSC 22000). SGS provides independent third-party verification of Leagel's compliance with international quality and food safety standards.
• Roberto LeardinicoreOthersRoberto Leardini (Dr. Leardini) is a co-founder of Leagel and the coordinator of the food technologist team. He was instrumental in developing Leagel's specialized processing methods in collaboration with the University of Bologna. The Tonino Leardini Gelato Master School is named in honor of another family member (Tonino Leardini) who co-founded the company alongside Giovanni Calabrò.
• Giovanni CalabròcoreOthersGiovanni Calabrò co-founded Leagel alongside Tonino Leardini, building the foundations of the San Marino-based company that has grown into an international artisanal gelato ingredients supplier.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Puratos: Belgian global manufacturer of bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in pastry bases, fillings, and inclusions serving many of the same pasticceria and Ho.Re.Ca. customers as Leagel, though as part of a much larger portfolio.
• Barry Callebaut: Swiss global leader in chocolate and cocoa products, supplying professional customers in food manufacturing, foodservice, and bakery. Comparable to Leagel's chocolate coatings (Stickaway) and cocoa-based product lines, with broader scale and B2B foodservice distribution.

Others

• DSM-Firmenich: Global nutrition, health, and flavors ingredients company combining DSM's nutritional ingredients with Firmenich's flavor and fragrance expertise. Adjacent to Leagel's ingredient manufacturing activity and parent IFF, with overlapping customer channels in food and beverage manufacturing.
• Carpigiani: Italian manufacturer of gelato and pastry-making equipment, serving the same artisanal gelateria customer base as Leagel. Complementary rather than competitive — Carpigiani makes the machines, Leagel supplies the ingredients — but highly comparable in market presence and trade show leadership.
• Tate & Lyle: Global food and beverage ingredient solutions provider specializing in sweeteners, texturants, and specialty ingredients. Comparable to Leagel in B2B ingredient manufacturing scale and customer overlap in food and beverage industries, though operating in broader commodity categories.

Direct peers

• MEC3: Italian specialist in gelato bases, pastes, and inclusions serving artisanal gelaterias worldwide. Highly comparable to Leagel in product portfolio, customer segment, and go-to-market model, with comparable emphasis on trend-driven innovation and training programs.
• Bravo S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of bases, pastes, and toppings for gelato and pastry. Directly comparable to Leagel as a domestic competitor with similar B2B gelateria focus, though with a more Italy-centric distribution footprint than Leagel's San Marino base.
• G.S. Gelato (Gel System): Italian gelato ingredient specialist producing powdered bases, pastes, and inclusions for artisanal gelaterias. Direct competitor to Leagel with comparable product format (powder bases, fruit pastes) and gelateria customer base.
• Fabbri 1905: Italian manufacturer of syrups, toppings, variegates, and semi-finished ingredients for gelato, ice cream, pastry, and beverages. Highly comparable to Leagel in product category (fruit preparations, toppings, bases) and customer overlap with Ho.Re.Ca. and artisanal gelateria channels.
• PreGel S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of semifinished ingredients (bases, pastes, variegates, toppings) for artisanal gelato and pastry. Direct competitor to Leagel with overlapping product categories, B2B gelateria customer base, and global distributor network spanning Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/LEAGELgelato
• Facebookfacebook.com/LEAGEL.Gelato
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leagel-srl
• Instagraminstagram.com/leagel_gelato

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Leagel Srl