"The postponement of the plastic tax to 2027 is a decision of common sense and responsibility, which recognises the difficulties of a strategic sector for the country and the concrete commitment of companies in the ecological transition process." This was stated by Massimo Centonze, President of Unionplast, commenting on the extension contained in the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Budget Programme Document.
"Our companies are at the forefront of investments in innovation and sustainability: in recent years the sector has allocated significant resources to mechanical and chemical recycling, packaging reduction and the use of secondary raw materials. A generalised tax on virgin plastic would have indiscriminately hit the supply chain, penalising precisely those who are investing to make the economy more circular," Centonze continued.
Unionplast emphasises how the sector represents over 26 billion euros in value and more than 45,000 workers, and is one of the pillars of Italian manufacturing industry, strongly oriented towards exports and technological innovation.
"The postponement offers the opportunity to open a serious dialogue between institutions and industry, to build more effective tools to support environmental transition and promote the competitiveness of the production system. A structural reform and long-term vision are needed, rewarding those who innovate and produce sustainably," added the President of Unionplast.
"We trust that this time will be used to arrive at the definitive cancellation of the Plastic Tax, replacing it with policies that truly support the country's sustainable growth," concluded Massimo Centonze.
