ECONOMY AND MARKET
A strategic study carried out by Teha Group in collaboration with PlasticsEurope Italia has been released recently. It shows that the industry is worth over 58 billion euros and has a workforce of 164,000. However, the sector continues to face high energy costs and growing regulatory constraints. With targeted policies, it could generate up to EUR 3 billion in further added value and create 30,000 new jobs.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY FOR THE ITALIAN
ECONOMY
Italian technology plast / June-July 2026
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The plastics industry is one of the most important manufacturing sectors for the Italian economy. In 2023, it generated a turnover of EUR 58.4 billion and EUR 15.3 billion in added value, employing around 164,000 people. With these results, Italy ranks second in the EU after Germany in terms of value generated by the sector. These figures emerge from the strategic report“ L’ industria della plastica in Italia. Strategia e azioni a sostegno di competitività e circolarità( The plastics industry in Italy – strategy and actions to support competitiveness and circularity)”, published by Teha Group in collaboration with PlasticsEurope Italia – Federchimica and presented in Rome during a meeting between major industry players and institutional representatives. The plastics sector accounts for approximately 4.9 % of the entire national manufacturing industry and ranks ninth in terms of economic value. Added to this is a strong international vocation: in 2024, the plastics sector’ s exports reached approximately EUR 25 billion, equal to 4.2 % of the Italian manufacturing industry’ s exports.
A PERVASIVE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEM From a structural viewpoint, the Italian plastics sector also stands out for the high number of companies present in the supply chain: approximately 16 % of all European companies in the sector are based in Italy. These are largely micro and small enterprises, a factor that contributes to the industrial structure of the Italian plastics sector and the strong presence of production districts in the country. This structure has fostered the spreading of specific skills and a strong ability to adapt to market needs. Italian plastics companies operate in numerous application segments— from packaging to automotive, from construction to mechanical engineering— making a significant contribution
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