Circular Economy
As the second most important European manufacturing economy strategically located in the Mediterranean's heart, the Italian market offers one of the best business environments in the EU for adopting and developing new manufacturing, R&D&I, and waste-to-value activities under the circular economy principles.
1ˢᵗ among main EU economies by waste recycling rate
The Italian recycling rate of all waste excluding major mineral waste is the highest among the 5 main European economies (72%) and above the EU27 average (58%).
Also, Italy stands out within the EU landscape with an overall recycling rate of 83.2%.
Source: Eurostat (2020).
71.5% recycling rate of packaging waste
Due to its strengthening collection and recycling infrastructure, Italy in 2022 surpassed the recycling targets set by the EU for both 2025 and 2030. Italy's packaging waste recycling rate in 2021 is strong, with 10.3 million tonnes of recycled packaging waste, accounting for 71.5% of the total amount released for consumption.
Source: GreenItaly (2023).
Widespread use of circular materials
Italy has the second highest Circular Material Use Rate among major economies (18.7%) in the EU showing strong commitment to recovering and reintegrating materials into the economy.
Source: Eurostat (2022).
Great market potential for End-of-Waste materials
The incorporation of secondary raw materials in the Italian industrial system has increased, with widespread applications in some of the key Made in Italy manufacturing industries.
Secondary raw materials have been widely utilized across various industrial sectors, including the manufacturing industry, agriculture, and predominantly in the steel and metallurgical industry, which accounts for a substantial proportion of its applications, approximately 55%.
Source: GreenItaly (2023).
Unlock investment opportunities in Italy through a circular economy approach
There are currently opportunities for companies to expand their market share and recover valuable materials, benefiting from the infrastructure growth boosted by significant nationwide public investments.
