Italian technology plast / October 2025 |
A SECTOR IN TRANSITION The report, based on research conducted by the independent firm Plastic Consult, reveals that the industry in 2024 consisted of 278 companies operating across various stages of the supply chain. These included producers of base chemicals and intermediates, granule manufacturers and distributors, and both primary and secondary transformation operators. Collectively, these companies employed 2,913 workers directly involved in the production of compostable plastics. The total volume of compostable products manufactured reached 121,500 tonnes, reflecting a slight increase of 0.5 percent compared to the previous year. However, this modest growth in output was overshadowed by a sharp 15.4 percent decline in total revenue, which fell to 704 million euros. This revenue drop was largely attributed to a significant reduction in prices across the sector, affecting raw materials, base chemicals, semi-finished goods, and final products. The number of companies active in the sector also declined by 3.5 percent, indicating a contraction in the industrial base. Employment figures mirrored this trend, with a 2.2 percent decrease in the number of dedicated workers compared to 2023.
MARKET DISTORTIONS AND UNFAIR COMPETITION Assobioplastiche President Luca
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Bianconi emphasized that the sector’ s recovery is being hampered by long-standing structural issues. He pointed to the widespread presence of illegal plastic bags and the growing market for so-called“ pseudoreusable” tableware— products that are marketed as reusable but lack the durability to be used multiple times. These items, often imported at low cost from the Far East, distort the market and undermine the competitiveness of legitimate Italian producers. Bianconi described this situation as a form of unsustainable dumping that threatens the viability of domestic manufacturing. The report also highlights divergent trends across different application sectors. The single-use product segment experienced a significant decline of over 10 percent, squeezed by both unfair competition and the influx of imported compostable goods. Compostable waste bags also saw a downturn. In contrast, there was positive momentum in the production of agricultural films, food packaging, and ultra-lightweight products |
, which showed resilience and potential for future growth.
GLOBAL SLOWDOWN IN BIOPLASTICS On a global scale, the challenges facing Italy’ s bioplastics industry are part of a broader slowdown. Data from European Bioplastics indicates that global utilization of bioplastics production capacity dropped from 68 percent in 2023 to 58 percent in 2024. Investment in the sector has also slowed. Projections made in 2018 anticipated a global production capacity of over 2.6 million tonnes by 2023, but actual capacity fell short at just 2 million tonnes— nearly 25 percent below expectations. Looking ahead to 2025, the outlook remains cautious. While final consumption is expected to rise slightly, this increase is unlikely to significantly impact overall production volumes. The continued prevalence of illegal products and pseudo-reusables is expected to persist, limiting the sector’ s ability to recover fully. The only segment showing consistent signs of growth is that of ultra-lightweight products.
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REGULATORY HOPE ON THE HORIZON There is, however, a glimmer of hope in the form of the European Union’ s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation( PPWR). The final version of this regulation supports the use of compostable materials, which could provide a muchneeded boost to the sector. However, the impact of the PPWR will depend heavily on how it is implemented by individual member states, including Italy. In the short term, the benefits of this regulation are expected to be limited, with more substantial effects likely to emerge only in the medium term. In summarizing the findings of the report, Luca Bianconi described the current state of the industry as one of“ light and shadow.” After a decade of steady growth from 2012 to 2022, the past two years have brought significant challenges. Without decisive action to address illegal competition and support innovation, the Italian bioplastics sector risks losing its leadership position in the global transition toward sustainable materials. |
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