reported by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; Luca Farina, CEO of Orion Spa; Richard Stanning, official adjudicator at Guiness World Records
Orion Valves, a Trieste-based manufacturer celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has been awarded a Guinness World Record for building the largest wedge gate valve ever constructed, a milestone that regional officials said highlights the strength of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s industrial sector.
The certification was issued on Thursday during a presentation at the Innoway facilities in Trieste, where a Guinness World Records adjudicator confirmed that the company had successfully completed a valve with a 114-inch classification. The event drew more than 600 guests, including Friuli Venezia Giulia’s governor, Massimiliano Fedriga, Trieste’s mayor, Roberto Dipiazza, representatives from Saudi Aramco and Hyundai — the project’s commissioning companies — and Orion’s full workforce.
The record-setting component, classified as a 114″ – 150 Class Rating Cast Steel Wedge Gate Valve API 600, stands nearly 14 meters tall and weighs approximately 120 tons. It will be installed at the Amiral petrochemical complex now under development in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and TotalEnergies. The valve is destined for the flare header system, a critical safety component for managing process gases at large-scale oil and chemical plants.
At the ceremony, where the massive steel structure was displayed at center stage, Fedriga described the project as both a technical triumph and a symbol of the region’s manufacturing capabilities. “This is not only an important engineering achievement but also a demonstration of the ability of regional companies to innovate and compete internationally,” he said. He credited the region’s industrial growth to a network of firms able to “guarantee results like today’s.”
The valve’s construction engaged more than 20 companies across Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, and Croatia, underscoring the extensive supply chain that supports heavy industrial production in the region. SAIPH, Orion’s wholly owned subsidiary, coordinated logistics and component assembly. Acciaierie di Cividale produced the steel casting, while Innoway handled final machining operations and hosted the unveiling. Petrolavori oversaw painting, and Top Sistema is preparing the specialized packaging for maritime transport. The Galperti Group manufactured and processed the test flanges, meeting standards required by Saudi Aramco’s approved supplier list.
The engineering process, company officials said, involved multiple iterations of finite element analysis to validate load-bearing performance and certify pressure integrity. Because the valve will operate in an inverted orientation once installed, Orion developed custom testing protocols, including a synchronized dual hydraulic torque system for bolt tightening while upside down. Functional tests were carried out in an oversized test tank measuring nearly five meters in each dimension.
Orion Valves president Luca Farina said the achievement reflected the work of “hundreds of people,” adding that the recognition capped a pivotal year for the company. “This milestone crowns 75 years of constant commitment,” he said, noting that Orion has significantly expanded its role in the global energy sector. “It is both a result and a motivation — a push to move forward even more strongly for the next 75 years, backed by the quality of Made in Italy and Made in Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
Fedriga emphasized that achievements of this scale have benefits beyond the company itself, pointing to the fiscal gains generated by expanding industrial production. He added that the regional government continues to work to attract and support companies operating in Friuli Venezia Giulia, not only through funding programs but also through direct collaboration on strategic investments.
The valve is scheduled to be shipped by sea in the coming months, with installation at the Jubail site planned for 2026. A specialized vessel will transport the component through international ports, ensuring the protection and safety required for equipment of this size.
