Biodegradable crockery and packaging, the Italian model

In the global context of the transition to a more sustainable economy, the Italian case demonstrates how it is possible to build a virtuous system that integrates green chemistry with the circular economy. Pioneer companies like Novamont have developed innovative materials like Mater-Bi since the 1990s, anticipating by decades the environmental awareness widely spread today. The Biorepack Consortium achieved in 2024 a recycling rate of 57.8%, transforming organic waste and compostable packaging into quality soil conditioners for agriculture.

This model developed under the drive of ever stricter regulations, at European and national level. The ‘Single-Use Plastics’ (SUP) directive and the ‘Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation’ (PPWR) have imposed increasing bans and restrictions on conventional single-use plastics, creating significant opportunities for biodegradable materials certified according to the standard UNI EN 13432.

The environmental challenges of fossil-based plastics

The production and widespread use of fossil-based plastic entail structural criticalities that make the transition to sustainable alternatives urgent. Traditional plastics come from oil and natural gas, non-renewable resources whose extraction and processing generate high greenhouse gas emissions. According to OECD data, plastic production is responsible for about 3.4% of global CO₂ emissions. The substitution with bio-based materials can significantly contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint of the packaging sector.

Despite progress in separate waste collection, the average plastic recycling rate in the EU stands around 35-40%, with significant dispersions in the environment. According to UNEP, about 8 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year, with devastating impacts on marine ecosystems. Adding to this critical issue is pollution from microplastics, particles smaller than 5 mm generated by the incomplete degradation of conventional plastic materials. Microplastics contaminate soil, waters fresh and marine, and food chains.

These challenges require a radical rethink of material use at every level of the supply chain, especially in food packaging and single-use tableware, where it is essential to combine product protection, hygiene, and safety needs with environmental sustainability criteria.

Bioplastics and biodegradable materials: technical definitions and classification

Bioplastics represent an alternative to traditional plastic, but it is important to distinguish between different categories with different technical characteristics. According to European Bioplastics, bioplastics are divided into three main categories:

• bio-based bioplastics but not biodegradable (like bio-PE and bio-PET), which come from renewable sources but have the same chemical properties as fossil plastics and are not biodegradable;

• bio-based and biodegradable bioplastics (like PLA, PHA, and thermoplastic starch), which come from renewable biomass and can biodegrade under specific conditions;

• fossil-based but biodegradable bioplastics (like PBAT and PBS), which come from fossil sources but are designed to biodegrade.

The main biodegradable polymers

The materials most commonly used for biodegradable tableware and packaging have distinctive technical characteristics:

• The PLA (polylactic acid) is obtained from the fermentation of plant sugars derived from corn, sugarcane or beetroot, and has good mechanical properties and transparency. However, it requires industrial composting temperatures between 58 and 60°C to biodegrade effectively, with a melting point between 130 and 180°C;

• The PBAT (polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate) is a flexible polymer often combined with PLA or starch to improve processability and biodegradability, with a melting point between 110 and 120°C;

• The PBS (polybutylene succinate) offers excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and biodegradability even under home composting conditions;

• thethermoplastic starch (TPS), derived from corn starch, potatoes or other vegetables, is often used in blends with other polymers to optimize technical performance;

• i PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoates), produced by bacteria through fermentation, are biodegradable even in marine environments and represent the most advanced frontier, although production costs remain high.

Compostability vs biodegradability

It is essential to distinguish between biodegradability and compostability:

• the biodegradability indicates the ability of a material to decompose by the action of microorganisms into CO₂, water, and biomass, without leaving toxic residues;

• the compostability instead refers to biodegradability under controlled composting conditions, with defined parameters of temperature, humidity, and oxygen presence, established times, and absence of negative effects on the final compost.

A compostable material is always biodegradable, but not vice versa. For single-use tableware and packaging intended for the European market, the compostability certification according to the standard UNI EN 13432 represents the key requirement to ensure regulatory compliance and effective valorization through organic recycling.

Global production and European market: data and trends

According to the latest data from European Bioplastics published in December 2025, the global production capacity of bioplastics reached 2.31 million tons in 2025, with significant growth projections up to 5.73 million tons by 2029. The global production capacity utilization rate rose to 72% (73% in Europe) with an actual production of 1.67 million tons.

the growth of bioplastics is mainly driven by the development of bio-based and biodegradable polymers such as PLA and PHA, bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), and steady growth of bio-polypropylene (bio-PP). The packaging remains the main market segment for bioplastics, representing 41.3% (0.95 million tons) of the total market in 2025.

theAsia maintains leadership and is expected to reach a 70% share in global bioplastics production in the coming years. TheEurope currently holds about a quarter of total biopolymer production, but this share is expected to steadily decrease with the expansion of Asian production capacity.

The European market of the biodegradable disposable tableware experienced significant growth after the entry into force of the SUP Directive in 2021. The market value was estimated at about 450 million euros in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 12 and 15%. The main segments include plates (35% of the market), cups (28%), cutlery (22%), trays and containers (15%). The main applications focus on collective catering (40%), food delivery (25%), organized large-scale retail (20%), and events and catering(15%).

Italy: a leading market between growth and critical issues

theItaly represents one of the most advanced markets in Europe for compostable bioplastics, with a consolidated industrial supply chain that, after a decade of uninterrupted growth, has undergone a phase of difficulty in the last two years. According to the annual reports of Assobioplastiche and Plastic Consult, the Italian compostable bioplastics industry peaked in 2022, with 127,950 tons produced, a turnover of 1,168 million euros, 271 active companies, and 3,005 dedicated employees.

The drop in revenue (828 million euros in 2023, 704 million euros in 2024) was mainly determined by the reduction of prices for raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished goods. The production volumes have instead stabilized around 121,500 tons, demonstrating that volume demand has remained relatively constant, while selling prices have decreased.

Regarding the Packaging biodegradable and compostable introduced to the Italian market, 76.8 thousand tons were recorded in 2022, rising to 79.2 thousand tons in 2023 (+3%). Lightweight and ultra-lightweight shopping bags, compliant with EN 13432 and the requirements established by articles 226-bis and 226-ter of Legislative Decree 152/2006, represent about 93.5% of the total compostable packaging placed on the market.

Excellence in recycling: Biorepack's results

The Italian Biorepack Consortium, operational since November 2020 as the first consortium in Europe dedicated to the organic recycling of compostable bioplastic packaging, has achieved absolute excellence results. According to the 2024 Management Report, the recycling rate has reached 57,8%, with an increase of 2 percentage points compared to 2023. This result exceeds the European 2025 plastic target by 8 points, set at 50%, and the 2030 target by 3 points, set at 55%.

The Italian population served by collection and treatment services reached 85.5% in 2024, with an increase of 11 percentage points compared to 2023 and 21 points compared to 2022. Italy confirms itself as a European model for the integration between collection of the organic fraction and recycling of compostable bioplastics, thanks to one of the most developed industrial composting infrastructures on the continent, with over 360 active plants and an organic waste treatment capacity exceeding 7 million tons/year.

To facilitate the correct disposal of compostable packaging, Biorepack launched the voluntary collective brand in 2025Organico Biorepack’ which, as explained by the president Marco Versari, ‘will be placed on all compostable packaging and will help citizens recognize them, place them in the right spot, namely in the organic fraction container. In this way, we promote the recycling of compostable packaging and good collection of organic waste’.

Critical issues and unfair competition

Despite successes in recycling, the Italian industrial bioplastics supply chain faces significant critical issues. The phenomenon of illegal bags represents one of the main threats: according to Assobioplastiche, about 27% of shoppers on the Italian market in 2024 consisted of non-compliant products, lacking certification or non-biodegradable. The estimated negative impact on compliant companies exceeds 150 million euros per year.

Adding to this is the growing spread of ‘pseudo-reusable’ tablewaremeaning single-use products marketed as reusable to evade the prohibitions imposed by the SUP directive. This phenomenon has clear negative repercussions on national productive activity, taking market shares from operators who comply with regulations and invest in truly sustainable solutions.

the unfair competition by products imported from the Far East at prices unsustainable for European producers represents a further critical issue. These products, often of dubious quality or lacking necessary certifications, are sold at prices that do not reflect the real production costs in compliance with European environmental and labor standards.

Perspectives

The persistence of illegal bags and pseudo-reusable tableware continues to hinder recovery. The positive effects of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging, PPWR, which in the final version confirms ample space for compostable bioplastics, will therefore be measurable only in the medium term.

The concrete impact will depend on the implementation methods by Italy and other Member States, and above all on the ability of institutions to effectively combat illegality and unfair competition which currently undermine the competitiveness of virtuous companies and environmental protection.

Italian examples of industrial excellence

Novamont and Mater-Bi

An emblematic case study in the Italian bioplastics landscape is represented by Novamont, a pioneering green chemistry company founded in 1989 in Novara. Novamont has developed the family of bioplastics Mater-Bi, biodegradable and compostable polymers obtained from renewable raw materials, particularly corn starch and vegetable oils, integrated with synthetic biodegradable polymers.

The technical characteristics of Mater-Bi make it particularly versatile for applications in the packaging and of the disposable tableware. The material is certified according to the standard UNI EN 13432 for industrial compostability and is produced in various formulations with properties optimized for specific applications, from flexible films to rigid and thermoformed materials. The processing temperature ranges from 140 to 180°C, similar to that required by conventional plastics, allowing the use of existing production plants with minimal modifications. Complete biodegradation occurs within 90 days under industrial composting conditions, while some formulations are also certified for home composting according to the standard UNI EN 14995 and for biodegradability in the marine environment.

Novamont has developed an innovative model of integrated biorefinery in the territory, enhancing local crops and agro-industrial by-products. The company operates through four production plants in Italy, located in Terni, Adria, Patrica, and Bottrighe, creating a distributed production system that reduces logistical impact and strengthens ties with the reference territories.

I.M.I. Industria Monouso Italiana S.p.A.

I.M.I. Industria Monouso Italiana S.p.A. represents another historic example of excellence in the production of biodegradable and compostable disposable tableware. The company specializes in the production and marketing of tableware for the collective catering, catering and events sector, offering a complete portfolio including plates, cups and cutlery made from cellulose pulp, PLA and Mater-Bi, as well as trays and thermoformed containers for food delivery and compostable takeaway bags.

All I.M.I. products are certified compliant with the UNI EN 13432 standard by the Italian Composters Consortium (CIC) and bear the compostability logos recognized at European level. This certification guarantees professional operators full traceability and regulatory compliance, essential requirements for supplies in the public sector and for catering companies wishing to communicate their environmental commitment transparently and verifiably.

Other key players in the Italian supply chain

The Italian entrepreneurial fabric in the compostable bioplastics sector includes numerous other innovative realities. BIOPAP S.r.l. has specialized in biodegradable and compostable packaging made of cardboard laminated with bioplastics, developing technical solutions for takeaway of both hot and cold foods that maintain the barrier properties and mechanical resistance necessary for professional food applications.

The Gruppo Saviola, through the Ecopaper brand, produces tableware made from FSC-certified cellulose pulp, focusing on the fast catering segment with products that combine functional performance and certified sustainability. ApiNolo on the other hand, has positioned itself in the premium and organic segment with plates and trays made from natural biodegradable palm leaf, without any chemical treatment, targeting a clientele attentive to the naturalness and aesthetic quality of the materials.

European and national regulatory framework

SUP Directive

The Directive (EU) 2019/904 (Single-Use Plastics, SUP) represents the main European legislation for reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastic products. Article 5 of the directive establishes a ban on placing on the market cutlery (forks, knives, spoons, and chopsticks), plates, straws, beverage stirrers, balloon sticks, expanded polystyrene food and beverage containers.

A fundamental aspect of the SUP directive is that the bans do not apply to certified compostable single-use products according to the EN 13432 standard, provided they meet the bio-based content criteria defined by Member States. This exemption has represented an important driver for the development of the compostable tableware market, creating significant opportunities for producers who invested in sustainable technologies.

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR) has replaced the previous Directive 94/62/EC to introduce stricter and more uniform measures at the European level. Article 22 establishes specific restrictions on single-use packaging, including a ban from 2030 on certain formats in the HORECA sector and the obligation of minimum percentages of reusable packaging in catering and takeaway.

Articles 6 and 7 introduce recyclability requirements which require all packaging to be designed to be recyclable by 2030, with the definition of harmonized criteria to assess recyclability on an industrial scale. Article 8 sets increasing targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging, with progressive deadlines from 2030 to 2040.

Article 10 specifically regulates compostability, establishing that compostable packaging must be certified according to standards EN 13432 or EN 14995 and can only be marketed if they effectively contribute to the collection of organic waste and the production of quality compost. The regulation also introduces specific labeling requirements to inform consumers about the correct disposal of compostable packaging.

Recitals 27 and 28 of the regulation recognize the role of bioplastics in the ecological transition, however emphasizing the need to assess the overall environmental impact through life cycle analysis (LCA). The text expresses a preference for the use of biodegradable bioplastics in specific applications where material recovery through composting is advantageous, including tea bags, coffee capsules, and adhesive labels on products intended for composting.

Harmonized technical standards

The standard UNI EN 13432:2002, updated in 2019, defines the requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation. Certification requires that the material achieves biodegradation equal to or greater than 90% within 6 months according to ISO 14855 test, disintegration equal to or greater than 90% in 12 weeks passing through a 2 mm sieve, absence of negative effects on compost verified through plant growth tests, and heavy metal content below limits defined by the standard.

The standard UNI EN 14995:2007 instead establishes the criteria for the evaluation of home compostability, providing for lower temperatures and longer times compared to industrial composting. Internationally, ISO 17088 is the reference standard for plastic biodegradability, while ASTM D6400 and D6868 are recognized standards for compostability in the United States and other non-European markets.

Italian legislation

The ‘Plastic Tax’, introduced by the 2020 budget law in article 1, paragraphs 634-658, provides for a tax of 0.45 euros per kilogram on single-use (MACSI) products made of non-recycled plastic. The entry into force of this measure has been postponed several times and is currently scheduled for July 2026. The legislation provides specific exemptions for certified compostable products According to standard EN 13432, for medical devices and packaging intended for pharmaceuticals.

The Legislative Decree 196/2021 has transposed the SUP directive in Italy, establishing specific prohibitions and an appropriate sanctioning framework. The decree has harmonized Italian legislation with European regulations, introducing controls and penalties to counter the marketing of non-compliant products.

The Italian Composters Consortium has published guidelines technical for the certification of compostability, developing a labeling system recognizable through the ‘compostable CIC’ mark. This certification system provides operators guarantees on material compliance and facilitates communication to end consumers, reducing the risk of confusion between truly compostable materials and products using generic or misleading environmental claims.

Competitive advantages and market drivers

The transition towards biodegradable tableware and packaging is supported by multiple mutually reinforcing factors. The consumer demand represents a fundamental driver. The 2024 Special Eurobarometer on the environment reports that 87% of Europeans declare themselves concerned about the environmental impact of plastic products. 58% of respondents are willing to pay a ‘premium price’ for sustainable, recyclable, and easier-to-repair products. This willingness to pay extra is particularly pronounced among younger consumers and in urban areas.

the corporate social responsibility benefits significantly from the adoption of sustainable packaging. In the food and beverage sector in particular, the choice of compostable materials improves brand perception, increases consumer engagement, and facilitates partnerships with large-scale retail, increasingly attentive to the environmental credentials of their suppliers.

The economic and fiscal incentives should complete the framework of market drivers. In addition to the Plastic Tax, several European Union member states offer incentives for the adoption of sustainable materials through tax credits, grants for research and development investments, and reductions in environmental fees under national extended producer responsibility systems such as the Italian CONAI.

Challenges and critical issues to face

Despite technological progress and the favorable evolution of the regulatory framework, the bioplastics supply chain still has to overcome some structural critical issues. The cost differential represents a significant obstacle: bioplastics cost on average between 20 and 50% more than conventional plastics. This gap is mainly determined by still limited production volumes compared to traditional plastics and the costs of renewable raw materials, which are affected by the volatility of agricultural markets.

the communication and consumer education represent a crucial challenge. There is significant confusion between the concepts of 'biodegradable', 'compostable', and 'bio-based', with the risk that consumers improperly dispose of compostable materials in traditional plastic collection. Clear and systematic educational campaigns are needed to ensure correct disposal behavior by citizens.

Conclusions

Biodegradable tableware and packaging represent a technically mature response to contemporary environmental challenges. The Italian model, with industrial excellences such as Novamont and I.M.I., a recycling system that reaches 57.8% through Biorepack and over 360 industrial composting plants, confirms itself as a European benchmark. The regulatory framework, structured through the SUP Directive and Regulation (EU) 2025/40, creates an increasingly favorable environment for the spread of these solutions.

however, the biennium 2023-2024 highlighted structural vulnerabilities linked to illegal products (27% of the market), low-cost imports, and pseudo-reusable tableware that evade regulations. For companies in the food, catering, and packaging sectors, investing in certified biodegradable materials is no longer just an ethical choice, but a necessary industrial strategy in an increasingly regulated market. The future success of the supply chain will depend on the ability to effectively counter illegality, support innovation to reduce cost differentials, and educate consumers on correct disposal.

Dario Dongo

Bibliography

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