1928: The SPCC (Société des Produits Chimiques du Centre) is created in France. Its activity consists of exploring and developing applications based on the utilization of activated carbons.

1956: SPCC adopts the name PICA. Its principal production line implements a physical activation procedure using wood as a raw material.

1960: PICA diversifies its raw materials and enters into the fabrication of activated carbons derived from coconut shells.

1965: La Compagnie Générale des Eaux (Veolia) becomes a shareholder in PICA.

1980: PICA is the leading producer of coconut shell-based activated carbons used for gold recovery.

1988: PICA and la Compagnie Générale des Eaux submit a patent for PICABIOL®, a granulate-form wood-base activated carbon used for biological filtration in water treatment plants.

1993: In Vierzon, PICA moves into new facilities designed for the manufacture of chemically activated wood-based activated carbons, and thus becomes one of the world's leading producers of this type of activated carbons.

1994: PICA opens a subsidiary in the United States, PICA USA, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio, and obtains ISO 9002 certification for its Vierzon site.

1996: PICA adds another subsidiary in Australia, PICA Activated Carbon Australia, Pty. Ltd.

1997: PICA expands into Italy by creating PICA Italia SpA (Milan), undertakes a major extension of its American facility, and establishes a Joint Venture in the Philippines, World Carbon Inc, for the production and distribution of activated coconut shell-based carbons.

1998: PICA obtains standard NSF61 certification for its activated coal-based carbons (PICACARB®) and standard NSF42 for its coconut-based carbons.

1999: ACTITEX (a manufacturer of activated carbon fabrics) becomes a fully-owned subsidiary of PICA.

2003: A facility is created in Great Britain.

2004: PICA's headquarters is established in Saint-Maurice (a suburb to the east of Paris)

2005: PICA strengthens is positions in Germany and Spain.