Co-founder of Italy’s Industria Chimica Legno, Franco Caramelli has passed away, aged 81.

Mr Caramelli was a descendant of the Jemina brothers who established a significant tannery business at the beginning of the 20th century. He began his career as director of Jemina & Battaglia in San Giacomo at a young age and worked in the industry for more than 60 years, including stints at Ledorex and Silvachimica.

In 1960, Ledorex and Jemina & Battaglia combined their chestnut extraction activities and Mr Caramelli and Mr Battaglia created ICL.