BALLARINI : THE ITALIAN EXPERTISE DRIVING THE ZWILLING GROUP FORWARD

While Zwilling is renowned worldwide for its knives and German expertise, the group also draws on another great European cookware tradition. Since the acquisition of Ballarini in 2015, the Italian brand has become the group’s centre of expertise for coated aluminium cookware. This expertise now benefits the development of Zwilling and Demeyere products, including the new “Milano” collection, made in Italy and launched this year. A closer look at more than 130 years of Italian expertise.

The history of Ballarini began in 1889 in Rivarolo Mantovano, Lombardy. Founded by Paolo Ballarini, the company did not initially manufacture cookware, but metal objects, before gradually specialising in coated aluminium frying pans. Over five generations, the family workshop has become one of Europe’s leading specialists in non-stick cookware, without ever leaving its original village, whose historic gateway still features in the brand’s logo. Ballarini’s identity remains deeply rooted in Italian culinary culture. The brand champions simple, generous and convivial cooking, with utensils that enhance the pleasure of cooking without ever making it more complicated.

When Zwilling acquired Ballarini in 2015, the move went far beyond integrating a new brand. The German group complemented its cookware offering with three areas of expertise. Ballarini brought its expertise in coated aluminium, Staub remained the reference for enamelled cast iron, while Demeyere continued its developments in multilayer stainless steel. “Ballarini brought the group genuine knowledge of the frying-pan and non-stick coating market,” explains Nathalie Chabert, Marketing Director of Zwilling-Staub France. Today, this expertise benefits the entire group. The Italian factory no longer produces only Ballarini collections, but also cookware sold under the Zwilling and Demeyere brands. For the group, maintaining this production in Europe is a strategic choice that ensures control over industrial processes and quality.

UNIQUE EXPERTISE IN COATINGS

Behind its aluminium frying pans, Ballarini’s real expertise lies in its mastery of non-stick coatings. For many years, its Research & Development teams have been developing multilayer processes designed to considerably extend their lifespan. Whereas conventional coatings quickly lost their non-stick properties, Ballarini has succeeded in delivering sufficiently long-lasting performance to guarantee certain ranges for ten years, a promise that remains rare on the market.

This expertise is taking on particular significance today amid growing concerns surrounding PFAS. Following a first generation of ceramic coatings whose performance deteriorated rapidly, the group’s R&D teams developed a new, much more resistant generation. The longstanding principle of applying several protective layers is now being used for ceramic coatings to improve their performance over the long term.

“MILANO”, ZWILLING’S FLAGSHIP COLLECTION FOR 2026

Unveiled at Ambiente for its launch in 2026, Zwilling’s “Milano” collection is manufactured at the Ballarini factory in Rivarolo Mantovano. It bears the signature of Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, whose Milan-based design studio is internationally recognised in contemporary design. The collection thus combines the elegance of Italian design with the engineering developed by Zwilling. Its main strength lies in the new PFAS-free, titanium-reinforced CERAFORCE Titanium ceramic coating. More resistant to scratches and wear, it offers durability claimed to be up to five times greater than previous generations while retaining excellent non-stick properties. Combined with a forged aluminium body and a patented induction base, it ensures fast, even heat distribution on all types of hob. Available in black, navy blue or chocolate brown, the collection includes frying pans, saucepans, sauté pans, stockpots and a wok. It reflects the group’s new direction, strengthening Zwilling’s premium positioning while showcasing Ballarini’s Italian industrial expertise.