Our history
More than eighty years of electrochemical treatment of aluminium foil — from a 1940s workshop in Isère to the modern industrial plant of Goncelin.
Etching machine — 1950s
Milestones
An industrial history, step by step
The dates below correspond to documented milestones in the company’s history, from its founding in 1945 to its joining of the Europlasma group in 2022.
1945
SATMA is founded
SATMA is founded in the Froges area (Isère, France) when three partners join forces: Ets. Coquillard, an aluminium rolling mill, Mr. Jeanson, a capacitor producer, and Mr. Cartoux, a manufacturer.
1945 — Early machines — 1950s 1952
Etching begins
SATMA starts etching in a workshop set up within the Cegedur facilities in Chambéry.
1965
Pechiney invests massively
Pechiney, a major French aluminium conglomerate, acquires SATMA and invests massively. All activities are moved to Goncelin, into new premises built by Pechiney.
1965 — The Goncelin plant — historical aerial view 
1988
New etching technology
Launch of a new etching technology using “solid bases” for the production of foils of the H100 series.
1988 — Trans-bobinage — 1980s 2003
Alcan acquires Pechiney
The state-owned Pechiney group is acquired by the Alcan group.
2007
SATMA joins the Almeco group
SATMA is acquired by the Italian group Almeco.
2008
SATMA PPC is created
SATMA is acquired by the Italian group Kendeil. SATMA PPC (Premium Products for Capacitors) is founded, completely dedicated to the development, production and sales of anode foils for electrolytic capacitors.
2009
High-gain foils
After a major R&D effort, the high-gain anode foil H144-6 is created, followed by the H104-8, designed for high-capacity capacitors.
2014
Launch of H144-9
Significant investments in R&D and production methods allow the development and launch of the high-gain foil H144-9.
2015
63 kV transformer station renewed
Renewal of the plant’s 63 kV transformer station.
2015 — The site transformer station 2017
Pilot etching line
Construction of a brand-new pilot etching line.
2022
SATMA joins the Europlasma group
SATMA joins the Europlasma group and becomes SATMA INDUSTRIES, the name under which the company continues today its activity of treating aluminium foil for capacitors.
