Mapei was founded in 1937 by Rodolfo Squinzi in Milan, initially as a paint company. Soon, the company also began producing flooring adhesives, such as ADESILEX, which allowed linoleum to adhere well to the substrate. Mapei became famous for products like ADESILEX P9, a strong tile adhesive that remains popular today. The company began expanding internationally in 1978, with factories in Canada and the United States.

In 1984, Giorgio Squinzi took over the company from his father and expanded it with products such as KERABOND, a polymer-free adhesive, and KERALASTIC, which allowed tiles to be installed on various surfaces. Mapei expanded its offerings with concrete renovation products, such as the MAPE-ANTIQUE line, and waterproofing products such as AQUAFLEX. In 1993, Mapei founded a professional cycling team, which won the Paris-Roubaix in 1998.

In the late 1990s, Giorgio's children, Marco and Veronica, joined the company, focusing on research and expansion in other countries. Mapei continued to develop new products, such as MAPECEM for screeds and ULTRACOLOR for grout. In 2006, Mapei became the sponsor of the Italian national football team, which won the World Cup, and the company acquired the US Sassuolo Calcio football team.

Mapei increasingly focused on sustainability, using products like RE-CON ZERØ to utilize recycled concrete. The company built new factories using local, sustainable materials. In 2016, Mapei published its first Sustainability Report, sharing its progress.

Mapei continues to grow globally with new factories and a broader product offering. The company focuses on innovation, sustainability, and providing high-quality products for the construction and tile industries. It remains a key player in the sector by consistently offering new and improved solutions.