PNRR, to strengthen the green paper and paperboard industry

The Ministry of Environment and Energy Security published on schedule the final ranking of the NRP–National Recovery and Resilience Plan–for the paper and paperboard supply chain, one of the most important in the circular economy. The NRP provides about 130 million euros for the implementation of 70 projects, 64 percent of which are in the South-Central area of the country and 36 percent in Northern Italy. The goal is to support the separate collection, sorting and recycling of cellulosic materials and innovate plant engineering to reduce the gap between the North and South of the country.

The ranking will allocate about 90 million euros to companies in the central and southern parts of the country, in line with NRP targets, while the remaining 40 million will go to northern Italy. The publication of the ranking list will be followed within 30 days by the decree to award grants for project funding.

The allocated resources, plus the investments of companies in the sector, are therefore an important building block for the implementation of the same, which will give new impetus to the virtuous path of separate collection, sorting and recycling of cellulosic materials. About 3.6 million tons of paper and cardboard were collected in 2021, and in the packaging sector alone, the recycling rate exceeded 85 percent. These resources are invaluable to the industry in terms of narrowing the gap between the North and South of the country and innovating plant engineering.

The paper industry represents an important model of circular economy, sustainable and efficient

In fact, the paper and paperboard supply chain is based on the principle of waste valorization and the use of secondary raw materials, namely recycled materials. Through technology and innovation, the paper supply chain is able to produce high-quality paper and paperboard from waste. This process reduces the environmental impact of the industry and limits the consumption of natural resources.

The investments included in the NRP will help consolidate the goals set by the European Union for waste management and the promotion of the circular economy. Indeed, circularity in the paper industry is an important example of how a more sustainable economy can be created and the environmental impact of the industry reduced.

The NRP represents a great opportunity for the paper and cardboard supply chain, which will benefit from major investments to consolidate the virtuous path of separate collection, sorting and recycling of cellulosic materials and innovate plant engineering.