The production of Packaging in glass has increased, despite the energy crisis and the long wave of Covid. The main material for containing food and beverages is appreciated by consumers and exports wine, sparkling wine and other gems of Made in Italy. However, some critical issues pose a risk in terms of maintaining the recycling and circularity objectives of the sector.
Packaging in glass, recovery and critical issues
In 2022 the production of bottles in Italy increased by 1.5%, putting over 2 billion pieces on the market, and that of jars by 2.5%, reports Assovetro, the industry association of glass manufacturers.
Undermining the return to normality, however, some critical factors pressure: the volatility of energy prices and the increase in the price of scrap to levels never reached before, from about 25 euros/ton to 200 euros/ton.
This increase, in addition to affecting the cost of containers (scrap represents, on average, about half of the raw materials used for glass production and 1/3 of the production cost), poses a risk in terms of maintaining recycling and circularity objectives of the sector: the cost of using scrap has now exceeded that of raw materials.
Despite the persistence of critical factors, the glass packaging industry has continued to grow. 2023 should be a year of consolidation to allow us to face the future challenges of the glass packaging industry, such as decarbonization with the search for new energy vectors. (Roberto Cardini, President of the container section of Assovetro).
Recycling and reuse, a sustainable coexistence
Reuse is the central objective of the proposed European regulation on packaging and packaging waste (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR). The challenge requires reshaping consumer habits and logistics (the breaking point of the environmental benefit of reuse is estimated at 100 km), as well as the creation of new models of business.
In 2021 reuse involved 186,000 tons of glass containers. Especially in chains such as water and milk, glass is perfectly suited for reuse, thanks to its properties which make it free from any risk of chemical leaching and contamination.
Recycling remains essential to accompany the transition. In this, Italy excels. The recycling of glass packaging waste from separate collection reached 2.2 Mt and has a recycling rate of 76.6%, above the target European target of 75% by 2030. The glass industry has committed to reaching 90% by 2030.
Consumers prefer glass
Consumer preference for Packaging in glass is well known. Due to its food safety, sustainability and recyclability characteristics, glass has been the only packaging material to register an average growth of 8% in Europe over the last three years, while general packaging has declined between 24% and 41%.
Three quarters of consumers Europeans recommend buying products packaged in glass. The share rises to 85% among Italians, who are also the most ‘recyclers’ in Europe: 9 out of 10 declare they do separate waste collection. A product packaged in glass also enjoys more trust from 70% of Italians, according to the InSites 2022 Survey.
The lightness of Packaging in glass
In Italy the industry of glass consumes about 1.1 billion cubic meters of gas annually (about 1.5% of national consumption). An energy-intensive production that year after year pursues energy savings to reduce the consumption of raw materials, energy and consequently CO2 emissions. In this context, the weight of containers has been reduced: -12% for wine bottles and -18% for sparkling wine bottles.
The ever increasing use The use of glass cullet for bottle production, which in many cases today reaches 90%, makes the difference. Every 10% of cullet used in place of raw materials allows 2.5% energy savings and a 5% reduction in CO2 emissions.
The Italian hollow glass industry in figures
The industry of glass containers, the leading European manufacturer, with 16 companies and 39 plants, is present in almost all regions of Italy, from North to South, with a higher concentration in the North. It has 7,800 employees, almost all with permanent contracts.
The turnover is valued at 2.5 billion euros per year. In 2022 theimport of bottles and jars increased by 11.3% and theexport decreased by 4.4%.
By 2024 5 new melting furnaces (400 million investment) will be built that will ensure a 12% increase in production capacity. Three of these will become operational in the coming weeks.
Marta Strinati
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of journalistic investigations on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
