Sicily Takes the Lead in Europe’s Circular Plastics Push

Versalis and Eni advance Hoop chemical recycling to turn mixed waste into new plastics as companies compete for circular feedstock

3 Dec 2025

Europe’s plastics sector is approaching a rare turning point as interest grows in Hoop, a chemical recycling technology that converts mixed and difficult waste into new materials. Long viewed as the industry’s most persistent challenge, this waste stream is gaining value as consumer brands face tighter requirements to use circular inputs.

The momentum began in Mantua, where Versalis and Eni showed that hard-to-recycle plastics can be processed into a clean oil suitable for new packaging, including sensitive food-contact uses. The demonstration plant, after years of stalled efforts across the field, is seen by analysts as an unusual step towards a scalable solution.

Attention has now shifted to Sicily. Versalis and Eni plan to remake their Priolo site into a centre for chemical recycling and biorefining. The initiative has drawn interest from consumer goods groups preparing for stricter EU packaging rules that will demand higher levels of recycled content. Supply remains tight, with only a small share of recycled material meeting the quality standards required for many advanced applications.

Industry specialists argue that chemical recycling could help narrow the widening gap between demand and supply. A spokesperson for Plastics Europe said the sector needed “new tools to reach real circularity” and that Hoop could be one of them if scaled effectively.

Uncertainty persists. Environmental groups warn that some chemical recycling methods may carry high energy use. Regulators are working to clarify definitions so that claims about recycled content remain credible. Uneven waste-collection systems across Europe also risk disrupting feedstock flows.

Even with these pressures, confidence is rising. Advances in technology, growing investment and regulatory urgency have created a window for change. If the Priolo project performs as planned, it could accelerate Europe’s move away from virgin plastics and support wider spending on advanced recycling.

For now, the focus remains on Sicily, where the next phase of Europe’s circular plastics effort is beginning to form.