Bombrini-Parodi-Delfino
Encyclopedia
Bombrini-Parodi-Delfino was a chemical company founded in 1912 by Giovanni Bombrini and Leopoldo Parodi-Delfino to produce gunpowder and explosives. Around its location in Colleferro
(south of Rome
) soon grew a small town attracting manpower from the nearby farms. After World War I
, BPD expanded its activities on fertilizers and cement at nearby Segni
(Società Calce e Cementi). In 1938 an explosion in the gunpowder plant killed 60 people. After World War II
, BPD diversified into mechanics, textiles and chemistry. The last remaining owner, the Parodi-Delfino family, entered a joint venture with SNIA-Viscosa
in 1968. SNIA’s chemical division was thereafter named SNIA BPD until BPD was sold to Simmel Difesa
, when it was renamed SNIA SpA.
, BPD patented a solid fuel based on nitro-glycerine and cellulose nitrate, the first step in developing experimental missiles on an industrial scale. The Aeronautica_Militare also contracted BPD to develop a meteorological missile, called the 160-70, employing two propulsion systems. The 160-70 was successfully employed in many launches between 1961 and 1963. In 1961 state and private companies merged; publicly-owned Finmeccanica
and the private firms BPD and FIAT
were incorporated into the Società Generale Missilistica Italiana.
SNIA-BPD also developed a series of air-to-surface rockets in the 1980s as part of the Medusa rocket system. The rockets were of 51-mm, 81-mm, and 122-mm caliber.
Colleferro
Colleferro is a small town of the province of Rome in the Lazio region of central Italy. It is a new residential zone of the metropolitan area of Rome where are located many different industries and a lot of sport structures....
(south of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
) soon grew a small town attracting manpower from the nearby farms. After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, BPD expanded its activities on fertilizers and cement at nearby Segni
Segni
Segni is an Italian town and comune located in Lazio. The city is situated on a hilltop in the Lepini Mountains, and overlooks the valley of the Sacco River.-Early history:...
(Società Calce e Cementi). In 1938 an explosion in the gunpowder plant killed 60 people. After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, BPD diversified into mechanics, textiles and chemistry. The last remaining owner, the Parodi-Delfino family, entered a joint venture with SNIA-Viscosa
SNIA S.p.A.
SNIA S.p.A. was an Italian firm located in Milan that manufactured defence products, textiles, chemicals, perfumes, and corrugated paper among other products. SNIA was founded in Turin in 1917 as a shipbuilder and gradually diversified into other areas of manufacturing...
in 1968. SNIA’s chemical division was thereafter named SNIA BPD until BPD was sold to Simmel Difesa
Simmel Difesa
Simmel Difesa is an Italian firm located in Colleferro that manufacturers land and naval munitions. Founded in 1948, Simmel specialized in the production of large-caliber munitions. In 1988, Simmel was acquired by the Fiat Group. During this period, Simmel itself acquired the assets of...
, when it was renamed SNIA SpA.
BPD contribution to missile research
BPD played an important role in developing missile solid fuels. In 1952, on behalf of the Aeronautica MilitareAeronautica Militare
The Italian Air Force is the air force of the Italian Republic. It has held a prominent role in modern Italian military history...
, BPD patented a solid fuel based on nitro-glycerine and cellulose nitrate, the first step in developing experimental missiles on an industrial scale. The Aeronautica_Militare also contracted BPD to develop a meteorological missile, called the 160-70, employing two propulsion systems. The 160-70 was successfully employed in many launches between 1961 and 1963. In 1961 state and private companies merged; publicly-owned Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica
Finmeccanica S.p.A. is an Italian conglomerate. Finmeccanica is the second largest industrial group and the largest of the hi-tech industrial groups based in Italy. It works in the fields of defence, aerospace, security, automation, transport and energy...
and the private firms BPD and FIAT
Fiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
were incorporated into the Società Generale Missilistica Italiana.
SNIA-BPD also developed a series of air-to-surface rockets in the 1980s as part of the Medusa rocket system. The rockets were of 51-mm, 81-mm, and 122-mm caliber.
