ION

ION was established in 1930 in Neo Faliro, on Piraeus Street, where its original chocolate factory remains. Its name derives from the ancient Greek ion, referring to the sweet violet used in the company’s emblem. An industrial heritage archive traces ION's origins to a chocolate workshop established by the Maroulis brothers in 1927, before the company's incorporation in 1930. In the 1930s, the Nasiopoulos and Kotsiopoulos families became involved with ION and established NASKO to produce confectionery. NASKO was later absorbed by ION.

Several products introduced during ION's post-war expansion became longstanding parts of the company's identity. In 1947, it launched ION Amigdalou, a milk-chocolate bar containing almonds; the almond branch depicted on its packaging subsequently became one of the company's most recognisable product designs. ION Serano, a milk-chocolate bar with a cocoa-cream filling, has been marketed since the 1960s and is described in contemporary coverage as one of ION's historic brands.

The company I. Kotsiopouloi Bros was established in 1956 to develop ION's sales and distribution network. In 1975, ION opened a wafer-production facility in Arta. This was followed by the introduction of Noisetta in 1976 and the chocolate-covered wafer Chokofreta in 1977. The Break chocolate range was introduced in 1986.

In 1988, Kraft Jacobs Suchard acquired a 24.5% stake in ION. The stake was subsequently bought back, returning ION to full ownership by its principal shareholders.

Ioannis Kotsiopoulos, who played a leading role in ION’s development, died in 2015. In 2022, Bespoke SGA Holdings, associated with businessman Spyros Theodoropoulos, acquired an initial stake in the company. Bespoke increased its holding to a majority stake in 2023. It held 66.1% by 2025.

Products

ION produces chocolate bars, chocolate confectionery, cocoa powder, wafers and candy bars. Its longstanding products include ION Amigdalou, Noisetta and Chokofreta. Other brands and ranges include Break chocolate, Derby candy bars, ION Dark and ION Stevia.

ION introduced Chokofreta in 1977, two years after opening its wafer factory in Arta. The original product combines a crisp wafer with ION milk chocolate. The range has expanded to include hazelnut, dark chocolate and white chocolate varieties, as well as smaller “mini” versions.

The Break range has expanded to include Dubai Style, a milk chocolate bar with pistachio filling and kataifi pastry that was available by early 2025. Strawberry and biscuit and speculoos biscuit varieties followed in 2025.

In 2026, ION collaborated with Greek rapper and songwriter LEX on a limited-edition bougatsa-flavoured Break bar called 2310.