The plastic recycling and regeneration sector in Italy continues to struggle with a structural crisis. The sustained plunge in the sales of secondary raw materials, along with the withdrawal of subsidies for complex fractions by Conai and Corepla, poses a severe threat to the entire supply chain. According to Walter Regis, President of Assorimap-Confimi, the sector requires urgent and concrete institutional intervention to prevent the decline of an Italian technological industry that is a global leader.
Structural Loss of Competitiveness and a Short-Lived Recovery
The crisis in the mechanical plastic recycling sector shows no signs of recovery. This situation was highlighted by Assorimap-Confimi, the association representing plastic recyclers and regenerators in Italy, drawing attention to the continuous and drastic decline in secondary raw material sales.
In recent weeks, the market did experience a brief reversal of the trend, facilitated by the rise in oil prices linked to the crisis in the Persian Gulf. Due to the increasing cost of crude oil, the price of virgin plastic (primary raw material) rose, which temporarily revived market expectations for recycled plastics and improved their position.
However, this recovery ended extremely quickly. Walter Regis, President of Assorimap-Confimi, emphasized that this brief episode clearly confirmed that the issue of production costs remains unresolved, and the loss of competitiveness of recycled plastics is a structural problem.
Decreasing Subsidies for Complex Plastic Fractions
The sector is further heavily impacted by the recent decision of the reference consortia—Conai and Corepla. These consortia were established by law with the task of guaranteeing the achievement of recovery and recycling targets in waste management.
Despite this, starting March 30th of this year, the consortia reduced or completely eliminated the financial incentives that had been approved for the recycling of the most complex fractions. These subsidies were previously applied by Corepla—in agreement with Conai—to encourage the transformation of the most difficult-to-manage packaging waste (such as mixed plastics and certain PET products) into secondary raw materials.
This move has caused concern across the entire supply chain. Walter Regis warned: “Although the consortia have effectively managed waste logistics, they have not launched significant initiatives to protect the sector, and today they are making a worrying decision that risks the economic sustainability of a sector already in a difficult situation.”
According to Assorimap’s position, the reduction of subsidies cannot be explained by any economic logic, since these same complex plastic fractions are alternatively sent to waste incinerators (waste-to-energy plants), which involves significantly higher costs for the system.
Institutional Passivity and Italy’s Lag in the European Market
At the institutional and state levels, the situation remains unfavorable for the sector. While other European countries—led by France and Spain—have already adopted concrete, targeted legislation to support the mechanical plastic recycling industry, the legislative processes in Italy have stalled.
Assorimap had already proposed concrete solutions to assist the sector during meetings convened last year by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE). These included the targeted application of the system of white certificates (energy efficiency certificates) and carbon dioxide credits.
“Of the measures requested at the MASE table—the last convening of which dates back to December 22 last year—not a single one has been adopted,” the association’s president emphasized.
Risking a Global Leadership Role
Maintaining the current situation, according to Assorimap-Confimi, carries the direct danger of the Italian economy abandoning an industrial excellence that is currently still a world leader in the quality of secondary raw materials and transformation technology.
The organization stresses that handling the crisis can no longer be delayed and demands immediate, concrete, and effective responses from the state institutional system to save the sustainable recycling supply chain.
References Used:
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Original press release (Assorimap): Riciclo plastica, Assorimap: La crisi continua, la filiera chiede tutela
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Related Italian state website (Ministry of Environment – MASE): Ministero dell’Ambiente e della Sicurezza Energetica
