Italy stands out as one of Europe’s most advanced circular economy leaders—blending a deep-rooted culture of craftsmanship and efficiency with cutting-edge innovation. With strong legislative support, thriving industrial ecosystems, and a vibrant SME sector, Italy is redefining how value is created, preserved, and regenerated.
Key signs of circular maturity in Italy:
- Italy ranks among the top EU countries in circular material use rate
- Strong focus on eco-design and industrial symbiosis, especially in textiles, construction, and manufacturing
- Success of national frameworks like the Circular Economy Action Plan and support from ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies)
- Rapid growth in circular startups and innovation hubs, particularly in fashion, packaging, and bio-based materials
- Integration of circular principles in regional development, waste prevention, and green public procurement
- Active role in EU-level circular policy, research, and funding programs
Italy’s model is both heritage-driven and future-focused, rooted in artisanal know-how while embracing the digital, green, and circular transitions.
At CEI, we help scale such success stories through:
Circular economy diagnostics
Policy and strategy advisory
Circular KPI development
Benchmarking and capacity-building for SMEs and cities
Can Italy’s fusion of innovation and tradition become a blueprint for global circular transformation?
The results speak for themselves—and the momentum keeps growing.