Perfetti Van Melle is a brand that combines Italian creativity with Dutch precision, officially born in 2001 from the merger of the historic company Perfetti, founded in Lainate in 1946 by brothers Ambrogio and Egidio, and the Dutch Van Melle, active since 1841. The history of this international group, however, has roots that go much further back, when in the post-war years the small Lombard company began producing candies and chewing gums destined to win over an increasingly broad audience. In the 1950s, the launch of Brooklyn, the first chewing gum made in Italy, marked a turning point and opened the way to a path of growth that would transform the brand into a global confectionery giant.
With the new millennium, the merger with Van Melle led to the integration of iconic brands such as Mentos, Fruittella, and later Chupa Chups, creating a portfolio capable of reaching over 150 countries and millions of consumers. The history is marked by constant innovations, linked not only to products but also to advertising language. Commercials that entered the collective imagination, such as the Tabù candy ad in the 1980s, featuring a minimal and elegant animated character, helped define a distinctive and sophisticated identity.
At the same time, the lively communication of brands like Big Babol managed to speak to generations of children and teenagers, turning simple sweets into symbols of carefree joy.
The variety of the catalog, ranging from fruity gummies to balsamic pastilles, reflects a clear intent: to always offer new taste experiences, capable of adapting to different moments of the day and various needs. Among the most popular products are the fruit candies , offered in iconic versions that have accompanied impromptu soccer matches and afternoons with friends.
Alongside these, one cannot fail to mention the balsamic freshness of
Golia Bianca, created to deliver an intense and lasting sensation. The soft
Morositas, also made famous by advertising campaigns featuring well-known faces of the 1980s, offer a unique texture and intense fruit and licorice flavors. The world of chewing gum is represented by
Air Vigorsol gums, launched with modern packaging and always synonymous with instant freshness. Finally, there are the iconic
Frisk candies, small but with an intense flavor, loved for the practicality of the pocket-sized Cleanbreath format.
Each of these products tells a fragment of the company’s long history, made of immediately recognizable flavors and constant innovations. The strength of Perfetti Van Melle lies not only in individual brands but also in its ability to update packaging and communication strategies, keeping pace with the tastes of new generations. From the 1970s to today, the logo has undergone several restylings, always with the aim of conveying modernity and freshness. More recently, research has focused on sustainable materials and digital activation initiatives, as in the case of Air Action Vigorsol, which has successfully combined tradition and innovation