Our story began in the 1960s, when the rapid growth of the leather tanning district of Santa Croce sull’Arno also brought new environmental challenges. In 1966, the Municipality approved the construction of the first wastewater treatment plant, a pioneering project in Italy and Europe, completed in 1974. It marked the beginning of a long and complex journey, shaped by challenges, innovative solutions, and continuous evolution.

In the 1980s, the plant entered a new phase of development: in 1980, the major expansion project was launched; in 1982, biological treatment was introduced; and in 1987, SOGES was established, a public-private company entrusted with its management. In 1991, at the end of the upgrading works, the plant doubled its capacity, improved sludge management, and reduced odour emissions, establishing itself as a benchmark model for the entire sector.

In the 1990s, a technological turning point arrived: thanks to innovative trials, the biological treatment units were upgraded in 1997, reducing the use of chemical treatments and increasing energy and operational efficiency. By 2001, the plant was fully operating in compliance with environmental limits, while still facing new challenges linked to the greater volumes of wastewater generated by industrial expansion.

To meet these needs, the “All Biological” project was launched, leading to the creation of a new biological stage and a more advanced and sustainable treatment process, structured into two biological lines in series and a tertiary treatment stage.
Today, our plant is the result of more than fifty years of experience, research, and innovation. A strategic infrastructure for the local area, bringing together companies, public authorities, and the local community in a shared commitment: ensuring water quality, reducing environmental impact, and supporting the development of the leather tanning district towards an increasingly sustainable future.