Abstract

This paper provides a reassessment of the foundation of ANIC (Azienda Nazionale Idrogenazione Combustibili) and of its impact on the structure of production in the Italian oil sector over the period 1936-1945. The paper shows that the firm, even if facing significant hurdles due to the war, which amounted to a significant disruption of its production process, was still able to develop significant technological capabilities. These capabilities played a significant role in the expansion of the Italian petrochemical industry after the war.