Storia
From our archives: VII Chemistry National Congress – Genoa, 1954
1895Foundation of the Chemical Society of Milan
The Chemical Society of Milan is founded on February 23rd, 1895, with Guglielmo Körner as president and Luigi Gabba as vice president. It is the first Italian association to bring together academic and industrial chemists. Starting in 1896, the Society publishes an annual report that documents scientific activity and strengthens the professional network in the field.
1902Foundation of the Chemical Society of Rome
The Chemical Society of Rome is founded on December 20th, 1902, with Stanislao Cannizzaro as president and Emanuele Paternò as vice president. Created to connect chemists from Rome, Central and Southern Italy, and the Islands, it counts 305 members at its inception. In January 1903, it publishes the first Proceedings, laying the groundwork for future unification.
1909The Italian Chemical Society is established
On January 1, 1909, the Chemical Society of Milan and the Chemical Society of Rome federated to form the Italian Chemical Society, initially organized into two autonomous sections. In 1910, a Naples section was added. The Proceedings of the new SCI became the official channel for Italian chemical research.
1919Splits and new associations
After World War I, ties between the sections weakened. The Milan section became the Society of Industrial Chemistry and launched the Journal of Industrial Chemistry. In Rome and Naples, the Italian Association of General and Applied Chemistry was founded. This marked the beginning of a decade-long phase of fragmentation.
1929The Italian Association of Chemistry
On January 1, 1929, the Society of Industrial Chemistry and the Italian Association of General and Applied Chemistry merged to form the Italian Association of Chemistry. The Journal of Industrial and Applied Chemistry became its official publication, laying the organizational foundations for the future unified SCI.
1947The new Società Chimica Italiana
From January 1, 1946, the Italian Association of Chemistry adopted its definitive name: the Italian Chemical Society. Maintaining its previous organizational structure, it became the national point of reference for chemical research and industry — marking the beginning of the modern SCI.
The Viale Liegi headquarters
SCI moved to its historic headquarters at Viale Liegi 48 in Rome. This marked the beginning of a phase of institutional consolidation and the expansion of scientific, educational, and outreach activities on a national scale.
1992The new Statute
A new Statute was approved, modernizing the structure of SCI and adapting it to the contemporary needs of chemical research and industry. The Society strengthened its role in education, public outreach, and in building connections between universities and businesses.
Anni '90Presidents and modernization
The 1990s marked the transition toward the modern SCI. Under the presidency of Scorrano (1990–1992), the Society implemented the internal reorganization introduced by the new Statute. With Ivano Bertini (1993–1995), came the digital shift: La Chimica e l’Industria became the first Italian chemistry journal to go online and opened up to English.
20256,000 members, a new milestone
For the first time, the Italian Chemical Society surpassed 6,000 active members — the highest number in its history, testifying to the steady growth of the scientific and industrial community.
