Il Italian production system is demonstrating a strong commitment to the transition to circular economy models, a fundamental step to ensure sustainable management of resources and the resilience of industrial supply chains. The country is distinguishing itself for its ability to maintain the value of materials and products, minimizing waste and aiming at efficient management of natural resources. The process is not only an environmental necessity, but also a key factor to strengthen the competitiveness of Italian companies, as highlighted in the new brief of the Sector Strategies and Impact Directorate of CDP, by title "Circular economy: a lever for business competitiveness".
The importance of sustainable resource management
THEItaly is in a particular situation, with a dependence on imports which reaches 48%, well above the European average of 22%. This condition makes it even more urgent to manage resources that reduce the vulnerability of the production system, especially in the event of disruption of supply chains of metals and critical raw materials.
The circular economy, which aims at recycling and reuse, is proposed as a fundamental solution to address these risks, reducing the need for new materials and promoting efficiency in the use of existing resources.
The advancement of the circular economy in Italy
In 2024, almost the half of Italian companies has undertaken a journey towards circular economy. The phenomenon is more widespread in the North and among larger companies, which mainly adopt recycling practices and strategies to extend the useful life of products.
Il manufacturing sector, in particular, has shown a marked predisposition to adopt innovative solutions to optimize production processes and reduce waste. The growing diffusion of these models offers ample room for growth for the Italian production system, which can benefit from a potential for innovation that is still largely unexplored.
The economic benefits of the circular economy
I economic benefits deriving from the circular economy are evident. Italian companies that adopt circular practices have already obtained a savings of over 16 billion euros on production costs. Furthermore, the circular approach has positive effects also on economic and financial performance of companies: the probability of default decreases, the use of debt is reduced and cash generation increases, providing more room for new investments.
Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the protagonists of this change. Italy stands out for its number of registered patents, with over half of the patents at national level coming from SMEs.
The creation of circular production networks
To strengthen the role of Italian SMEs in the transition towards a circular economy, it is essential activate public incentives for investments in machinery, technologies and intangible assets. It is also crucial improving access to sustainable finance, taking advantage of the support of the National Promotion Institutes, and develop strategic initiatives that promote the creation of “circular production networks”.
