Philip Morris celebrates sixty years of presence in Italy, an anniversary which underlines the constant commitment of the company in Italy. During these sixty years, Philip Morris has developed an integrated supply chain that involves over 38.000 people throughout Italy, united by a common goal: to create a smoke-free future.
Philip Morris in Italy, a story that begins in Bologna
The communication campaign “60 years of Philip Morris in Italy. A history of innovation” is dedicated to the people who have made this transformation possible, making Italy a leading player. The company recognizes the contributions of those who have worked hard and dedicatedly to achieve this vision.
The story of Philip Morris in Italy begins in 1963, in the years of the "Italian economic miracle", with the opening of the Intertaba SpA production site in Zola Predosa, in the province of Bologna. Initially specialized in the production of high-tech cigarette filters for the Italian monopoly, the company has continued to grow over the years, laying the foundations to become the center of the global transformation of the Philip Morris Group.
In the 2s, Philip Morris started a process aimed at supporting the development of an agricultural supply chain centered on growers. Thanks to the long-term agreements with the Ministry of Agriculture and Coldiretti, investments of over 1000 billion euros have been generated in favor of 22.000 agricultural enterprises and over XNUMX farmers in Campania, Umbria, Veneto and Tuscany. This short supply chain has become a international model of sustainability, digitization and competitiveness.
A smoke-free future: Italy is its centre
In 2014, the company announced the implementation of the first production center in the world for the production of innovative products based on smokeless tobacco: Philip Morris Manufacturing & Technology Bologna. This center has become the international hub for building a smoke-free future, replacing cigarettes with innovative products for adult smokers who want to quit smoking. This major investment of over 1,2 billion euros was made possible thanks to the skills developed in the field of high-tech filters and the collaboration with local partners in the agricultural, packaging and mechatronics supply chain.
Italy has thus acquired a central position in the global strategy of Philip Morris International, attracting further investments in the country. In 2021 it was announced the Center for Industrial Excellence, the largest of the group in the world, which is located in Bologna and is dedicated to product and process innovation and good industrial sustainability practices. In 2022 the Philip Morris Institute for Manufacturing Competences, center for training and skills development related to Industry 4.0. In addition, three DISCs (Digital Information Service Centers) were opened in Taranto, Caserta and Terni, which provide advanced assistance on innovative combustion-free products, thus completing the entire supply chain, from seeds to services for consumers.
A sustainable path
Philip Morris's investments are accompanied by a growing attention to environmental and social issues, in order to concretely contribute to the transition towards a sustainable development model according to the 2030 Agenda, as well as to develop a long-term ESG strategy.
From a social point of view, the company has focused on the health, safety, equal opportunities and well-being of the people involved in its supply chain. The "Top Employer" and "Equal Salary" certifications obtained over the years bear witness to the company's constant commitment to creating a fair and inclusive working environment.
Since 2019, Philip Morris has also undertaken initiatives to engage consumers towards more aware and responsible environmental behaviour. "Change gesture", the largest awareness campaign to prevent cigarette butt pollution ever carried out in Italy, is a very successful example of this. In 2021, the company signed the Self-Regulation Code promoted by Eurispes for the responsible communication and sale of combustion-free products.
Moreover, over the years, the company has proven itself an ongoing commitment to environmental sustainabilityboth in agriculture and in manufacturing. The "Alliance for Water Stewardship (Aws)" certification, obtained for the first time in 2019 and subsequently raised to the Gold level for the Bologna production site, testifies to the responsible use of local water resources and confirms the company's commitment towards sustainable development. From an energy point of view, Philip Morris has implemented a plan of initiatives to minimize the environmental impact, including the construction of a photovoltaic park that covers 75% of the Crespellano site and the "Zero Carbon Tech" project, still in progress, to achieve carbon neutrality of the production site by 2025.
The company has also invested in the research and innovation to promote the green transition of the tobacco supply chain through projects such as the Leaf Innovation Hub, and has promoted biodiversity and the protection of natural resources.
