Business · Energy & Commodities · 7 hrs ago
Italy invests €212 million to expand paper and cardboard recycling
Italy has committed €212 million to strengthen paper and cardboard recycling, using public recovery-plan funds and private investment.
The money is supporting 33 facilities, including paper mills, packaging plants and waste-treatment sites, with about 70% already active.
In 2025, Italy collected nearly four million tonnes of paper and cardboard, and the recycling rate for paper packaging reached 93.1%, above the EU’s 2030 target of 85%.
Collection is growing fastest in the south: the south and islands collected more than one million tonnes for the first time, and recycling projects are estimated to have increased jobs there by about 6%.
New facilities could help collect more of the paper still being missed, including an estimated 300,000 tonnes of potential extra collection.
The EU packaging regulation, which entered its application phase in August 2025, will gradually change how packaging is designed, made and handled.
Companies may need further investment as the rules develop, with technical details still to come and targets extending to 2040.
Italy has recorded €212 million in investment to strengthen its paper and cardboard recycling chain, including private investment activated by PNRR funding.
The investments involve 33 facilities, including nine paper mills and paper-converting plants and 24 waste-management and initial-treatment facilities.
In 2025, Italy collected almost 4 million tonnes of paper and cardboard, and the recycling rate for cellulose-based packaging reached 93.1%.
The South and Islands accounted for 60% of the additional material collected in 2025 and exceeded one million tonnes for the first time.
The sector faces further investment needs as the European packaging rules reshape how packaging is designed and managed.
- Who
- Comieco, Nomisma, Assografici and Conai presented information on investment and recycling at Ecomondo 2026.
- What
- Italy recorded €212 million in investment to strengthen paper and cardboard recycling facilities.
- When
- The report was presented at Ecomondo 2026. The collection figures refer to 2025.
- Where
- Italy, with investments also reported in Sicily, Lazio, Abruzzo and Campania.
- Why
- The investments aim to expand recycling capacity and improve the management of paper and cardboard waste.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy collected almost 4 million tonnes of paper and cardboard, more than 60,000 tonnes above the previous year.
The European packaging and packaging-waste regulation formally entered into force.
A new facility in Catania was inaugurated to address a shortfall in treatment capacity.
Comieco, Nomisma, Assografici and Conai presented data on investment and the sector’s outlook.
- Total investment
- €212 million
- PNRR funding used
- €67 million
- Facilities involved
- 33: nine paper mills and paper-converting plants, and 24 waste-management and initial-treatment facilities
- Paper and cardboard collected
- Almost 4 million tonnes in 2025
- Packaging recycling rate
- 93.1% in 2025
- South and Islands
- More than 1 million tonnes collected for the first time in 2025
What people are saying
Of the approximately 100 million euros planned, 67 million euros have been used, activating 145 million euros in private investment, for a total value of 212 million
There are 33 facilities involved: nine paper mills and paper-converting plants and 24 waste-management and initial-treatment facilities
Sicily is the region that has benefited most from the contributions
It is a rule that will continue to change