Packaging to Polymers – Progress Returns as Italy Moves Forward With Ambitious Packaging to Polymers Project to Transform Pozzilli Plant Into Major Plastic Recycling Innovation Hub 27-11-2025
Packaging to Polymers
Packaging to Polymers Project Returns to Center Stage: Italy Reassesses Pozzilli Plant Conversion
The industrial transformation project known as Packaging to Polymers has officially returned to the spotlight. During a new meeting held at the Ministry of Industry and Made in Italy (MIMIT), government officials, company representatives, and industry stakeholders gathered to review the next steps for converting the Unilever plant in Pozzilli into a technologically advanced hub dedicated to plastic recycling.
This renewed focus signals an important shift. After months of relative silence, policymakers have placed the initiative back on the national agenda, recognizing its potential to support sustainable manufacturing, reinforce Italy’s circular economy goals, and strengthen local employment.
A Strategic Project Revisited
The original industrial plan for the Packaging to Polymers venture was presented in 2022. Built as a joint partnership between Seri Plast and Unilever, the project aims to repurpose the historic Pozzilli site in the province of Isernia. The conversion would allow the plant to process heterogeneous post-consumer plastic waste and produce specialized compounds for advanced manufacturing.
Three years after its initial introduction, the Ministry has reopened the dossier to assess progress and clarify the outstanding steps needed to move forward. According to MIMIT, the current phase focuses on verifying technical requirements, financial structures, and operational timelines.
The Ministry emphasized that efforts are underway to finalize conditions that would allow the project to launch within the next few weeks. This renewed momentum indicates a strong institutional commitment to completing the transformation process.
Safeguarding Employment and Supporting Local Development
One of the most critical goals of the Packaging to Polymers project is the protection of existing jobs at the Pozzilli site. By converting the facility rather than closing it, the initiative aims to preserve local employment while creating new opportunities within the circular economy.
MIMIT stressed that the planned industrial conversion is designed to ensure job continuity and expand future production possibilities in the region. The Province of Isernia has long sought projects capable of stimulating economic revitalization, and this initiative offers a meaningful path toward sustainable industrial recovery.
In support of these goals, the Ministry has pledged to convene a full plenary session soon, bringing together all parties for a final assessment and collective decision-making.
Next Administrative Steps
While stakeholders review the strategic aspects of the transformation, Unilever is preparing the documentation required for the CIGS application (Extraordinary Wage Guarantee Fund). This step is essential for supporting workers during transitional phases and will be aligned with the timing of the project’s development.
The Ministry confirmed that these procedures will follow the official guidelines and be formalized as soon as the project structure is finalized. This ensures regulatory compliance and provides stability throughout the conversion process.
A €109 Million Investment in the Future
At the heart of the Packaging to Polymers initiative is a major financial commitment. According to the development agreement signed in June 2023 at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the project requires more than €109 million in total investment.
Out of this amount:
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€82 million comes directly from the Ministry
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€30 million is provided in non-repayable grants
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€52 million is offered through subsidized loans
This significant public contribution demonstrates the government’s confidence in the project’s potential to advance Italian industry, strengthen sustainable production, and meet modern environmental expectations.
A New Chapter for the Pozzilli Plant
The renewed attention from MIMIT marks a promising turning point for the Pozzilli facility. If successfully implemented, the Packaging to Polymers project could transform the plant into an innovative recycling center with national relevance. It would also support Italy in achieving European circular economy targets and demonstrate how traditional industrial sites can evolve into modern, environmentally responsible assets.
As preparations move forward, the industry now looks toward the upcoming plenary meeting, where final assessments will determine the project’s official green light. With strong institutional backing, significant financial resources, and a clear sustainability mission, the initiative appears poised to progress toward full implementation.
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