Eeditorial
| Paolo Spinelli
Eeditorial
EDITORIAL
| Paolo Spinelli
.
The plastics industry is going through a phase of major transformations, with strategic operations redefining the global scenario. Two recent developments – the transfer of two RadiciGroup business units to the American fund Lone Star and the merger of Borealis, Borouge and Nova Chemicals under the umbrella of the new Borouge Group International – give us food for thought on the direction the sector is taking. RadiciGroup’ s decision to sell Specialty Chemicals and High Performance Polymers is a historic move for the Bergamo-based company. Lone Star’ s arrival on the scene could significantly affect the evolution of the divisions it has purchased. While, on the one hand, this represents a
BIG CHANGES AHEAD growth opportunity thanks to the availability of new financial resources and a management oriented towards international development, on the other, the question arises as to whether this move will disrupt the continuity of Radici- Group’ s industrial approach and hinder the advancement of Italian know-how. As the Italian market undergoes a major restructuring operation, at international level we are witnessing the creation of a new polyolefin giant. The merger of Borealis, Borouge and Nova Chemicals under the control of OMV and Adnoc, which took over Covestro just a few months ago, will give rise to the world’ s fourth largest producer in the sector. The operation is emblematic of a consolidation strategy being pursued by the industry’ s multinationals. In a setting dominated by energy transitions, increasingly strict regulations and a growing focus on sustainability, the creation of a single integrated platform should allow new synergies, access to raw materials at competitive prices and the development of new technological solutions. The Italian plastics industry has reached a fork in the road. As the global market coalesces around a small number of players that are becoming increasingly large and financially structured, Italian companies must balance their specialisation with their need to attract investments. Selling strategic assets to foreign financial groups can be a growth opportunity, but unless it is accompanied by adequate development and innovation policies, it also risks weakening the country’ s industrial fabric. As the plastics industry evolves through operations that are reshaping global balances, Italian companies must rise to the challenge of adapting to this ever-changing scenario. Specialisation, innovation and a long-term strategic vision will be crucial for keeping the sector competitive and safeguarding Italian industrial know-how in an increasingly globalised landscape.
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Italian technology plast / April 2025
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