Ciemme S.r.l., based in Modena, has been designing and manufacturing solvent recovery distillers and industrial washing systems for 45 years. Today, the company announces it has acquired the brand and technological assets of Hydro Italia. Hydro Italia is a leading name in industrial wastewater treatment. It specialises in chemical-physical treatment plants, flotation units, evaporators, oil separators and filter presses. In addition, it has its own line of dedicated chemical products.
Continuity for Hydro Italia customers and markets
Ciemme’s priority is to ensure continuity for Hydro Italia’s business in its core sectors. First of all, this means guaranteeing chemical products, technical assistance and spare parts for installed plants. In addition, Ciemme will resume building new plants under the same brand.
Water and solvent: one integrated approach for industry
The strategic value of the deal lies precisely in combining the two technologies.
In fact, many industries generate both wastewater and waste solvents. However, these streams are often handled by different suppliers, with uncoordinated solutions. With Hydro Italia, Ciemme can therefore offer an integrated approach:
- Solvent: recovery by distillation and closed-loop reuse, with Ciemme distillers handling up to 20,000 litres/day.
- Water: treatment of aqueous effluents from washing, processing and water-based printing, up to compliant discharge or reuse.
- Washing: solvent and detergent washing systems, combined with treatment of the related effluent.
As a result, customers will have a single partner for the entire process fluid cycle. This means lower disposal costs, greater sustainability and simpler environmental compliance.
From Ovit to Hydro Italia: a consistent growth path
The deal comes two years after Ciemme acquired Ovit. Active since 1964, Ovit is a historic manufacturer of automatic washing systems for printing. With Ovit, Ciemme combined solvent recovery with the washing of printing components. Now, with Hydro Italia, water treatment is also added. In this way, three complementary skills – washing, solvent recovery and purification – are united under one industrial direction.
This path is also supported by solid organic growth. In fact, in 2025 Ciemme’s revenues grew by about 30% on a like-for-like basis. This result was driven by a stronger sales, production and service organisation.
Comment from Emanuele Galaverni, CEO of Ciemme
“Hydro Italia is a well-known name in industrial water treatment,” says Emanuele Galaverni, CEO of Ciemme. “It has over thirty years of plant engineering experience. Moreover, its wealth of formulations and projects should not have been lost. For us, therefore, it is a natural complement. For 45 years we have helped companies recover and reuse solvents. Now we can also take care of water.”
“Our first commitment is continuity,” Galaverni continues. “Anyone using a Hydro Italia plant or its chemical products must be able to count on supplies, assistance and spare parts. For this reason, electroplating, tanning, food, automotive and the other sectors served by Hydro Italia remain central. In fact, we do not want to distort the brand. Instead, we want to give it a solid industrial structure so it can grow again.”
“From today, customers who need to recover solvent, treat wastewater or solve washing issues have a single partner,” Galaverni stresses. “At the same time, we offer a range of solutions that is unmatched on the market.”
“Ciemme, Ovit and Hydro Italia bring together more than 130 years of industrial experience,” Galaverni concludes. “So it will be interesting to see what these three companies can build together in the coming years. Above all, we will always start from our customers’ needs.”
Original chemicals, spare parts and technical support are available again.
Contact us: sales@ciemme.it
About us
Ciemme S.r.l. – Based in Modena, Ciemme has been designing, manufacturing and selling solvent recovery distillers for 45 years. In addition, it produces industrial washing systems using solvent or detergent, also under the Ovit brand. It serves the printing, photopolymer, paints and coatings, chemical and extraction sectors. Its goal is to reduce costs and environmental impact while protecting people’s health. www.ciemme.it
Ovit – A Lombardy-based brand active since 1964, Ovit designs and produces automatic washing systems for offset, flexographic and gravure printing. It has been part of Ciemme since 2024. www.ovit.it
Hydro Italia – Based in Medicina (Bologna), Hydro Italia has been active for about 30 years. It designs and builds plants for treating industrial wastewater and sludge. It also formulates chemical products for purification. Moreover, it has collaborated with major international engineering firms. Finally, it has worked with local partners in China, Poland and Turkey. www.hydroitalia.com
