Italiano
2024 closed with a complex balance sheet for the Italian biodegradable and compostable plastics industry.
According to data released by Assobioplastiche and Largo Consumo, the study conducted by Plastic Consult depicts a sector made up of
278 companies and about 2,900 employees, down 2.2% compared to 2023.
The international context: a reversal of trend
Total turnover reached €704 million, marking a 15.4% decline, largely due to falling price lists across the supply chain.
In terms of volumes, however, production recorded a slight increase (+0.5%), reaching 121,500 tons.
The geographical distribution of companies confirms centers of excellence in Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Campania, Lombardy and Umbria,
with Veneto and Emilia-Romagna leading in terms of employees.
Sectors: single-use struggles, food packaging and agricultural films on the rise
Single-use remains the weakest link, with a contraction of over 10%, penalized by “pseudo-reusable” products
and the arrival of low-cost items from the Far East. Also struggling are bags for organic waste collection,
while agricultural films, food packaging and ultralight products show positive signs.
After a decade of growth, 2024 also marked a slowdown globally.
According to European Bioplastics, the utilization rate of production capacity fell from 68% to 58%,
while investments were much lower than expected, with total capacity stuck at
2 million tons compared to the 2.6 million forecast.
Outlook
The president of Assobioplastiche, Luca Bianconi, described the picture as “in chiaroscuro.”
For 2025, stagnation is expected, due to the spread of illegal bags (estimated at 27% of the market)
and unfair competition from pseudo-reusable products.
A possible turning point could come from the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR),
which promotes compostable materials, but its concrete effects will only be visible in the medium term.