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Montecatini Alumetal

: : g a l l e r y : :

1928 - Overview

1928 - Hall A

1928 - Engines inside the hydroelectric power plant

When it was built, in 1927, this factory was one of the largest and most modern of Europe. At that time, concerning aluminium, Italy was totally depending from foreign countries. Then, it was decided to built a new factory, able to cover this national lack. The cooperation between Montecatini company and the german Vereinigte Aluminium Werke gave birth to S.I.D.A. (Società Italiana Dell’Alluminio - Italian Aluminium Company), which started the construction works. When finished, the modern plant generated electrical power from water: an impressively beautiful hydroelectic power plant was built in loco, along an artificial canal - rised from Adige river - which was, at times, the longest ever built in Italy (2450 m). The power plant, equipped with four powerful dynamoes, was able to generate annually one hundred millions of kWh. The first ovens-hall (hall A) hosted 120 Heroult cells, where aluminium oxide was reduced into aluminium by electrolysis. In 1930 a second hall was built (hall B), provided with 120 ovens too. The third one (hall C), from 1937, had 88 ovens later increased to 132. Halls A and B were rebuilt in the 60s and enlarged.

During the 30s, Italian aluminium factories were gathered under the national trust called I.N.A., controlled by Montecatini group. During the Second World War Mori factory was declared “auxiliary”, depending on Fabbriguerra war industry company. In that period the highest number of employees was reached: 1224 units. The site was a priority target of air raids and sabotages, regardless nothing stopped the production.

The postwar was difficult. Production reorganization to civil purposes and introduction of mechanized processes caused many jobplace cuts, generating social disease. These tensions explosed in 1958, when the factory was occupied by workers reclaming salaries, times and working conditions reviews. Gains of such struggles were a pay rise and the creation of a Safety Committee, a working man's club, sport teams and the amateur dramatic society.

Until the 60s, Montecatini used as main power source for its sites the one generated from its own power plants, lightening the balance sheet. The hydroelectric power plant was dismantled in 1953, therefore electric power was taken from other hydroelectric power plants of the region, owned by Montecatini too. Energy sector nationalisation of 1962 forced Montecatini to sell its own power plants to E.N.E.L., and then to add electricity costs to the balance sheet. It was a hard blow. Moreover, many brand new aluminium plantswere built all around Europe (and the world in general), increasing the competitors. Results are evident: Mori factory became quickly obsolete and too much expensive to keep in work. In 1973 the plant was sold to E.F.I.M., a state interest holding, then to another company called Alumetal. Ten years later, it closed forever.