Sabrina Rodelli, partner responsible for sustainability at Cantina Pizzolato; Michele Petrone, CEO of Aliplast-Hera Group, Settimo Pizzolato, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and Federico Pizzolato, Director and Head of Production at Cantina Pizzolato.
One year after the start of the collaboration, Cantina Pizzolato, a Treviso-based winery recognised for its commitment to sustainability, and Aliplast, a Hera Group company specialised in the collection, recycling and regeneration of plastics based in Istrana (Treviso), present the results of their collaboration, which aims to collect and utilise the plastic films used in packaging and logistics to achieve a circular approach to packaging management.
The winery’s plastics waste is collected and transformed by Aliplast into new raw material, facilitating its recovery and reintroduction into new production cycles. The project has already delivered tangible results: during 2025, Cantina Pizzolato supplied Aliplast with 19,810 kg of plastics film, in addition to 1,801 kg managed via the local collection service. Overall, 91.7% of the plastics waste produced was sent for recycling, reducing the environmental impact and contributing to the development of a circular production model. This approach reflects a broader evolution within the sector, in which even decisions regarding packaging play a strategic role in reducing environmental impact and in building increasingly integrated and circular supply chains.
From waste management to material recovery
The collaboration addresses a crucial issue for the wine sector, where plastics films – such as pallet covers and stretch film for bundling – are essential for ensuring the stability and protection of the product during transport, but require efficient end-of-life recovery processes. In this context, integration with the industrial recycling supply chain not only reduces environmental impact but also actively contributes to the development of circular production models.
The collected materials are sent to the Aliplast plant in Istrana, where they undergo sorting, washing and grinding. The resulting pellets are then used to produce new plastics film, comprising 30% recycled plastics and the remaining 70% virgin raw material. This solution guarantees high technical performance in terms of strength and elasticity, whilst reducing resource consumption.
“The partnership with Cantina Pizzolato demonstrates how it is possible to transform plastics waste management into an efficient and traceable industrial process, capable of generating environmental and economic value”, comments Michele Petrone, CEO of Aliplast (Hera Group). “Integrating recycling directly into our partners’ production chains means making a tangible contribution to the spread of circular economy models, anticipating regulatory changes and strengthening businesses’ competitiveness”.
“The project with Aliplast combines environmental sustainability with efficiency in resource management, reducing waste, encouraging material recovery and strengthening ties with the local area thanks to the collaboration between two organisations located just a few kilometres apart”, explains Sabrina Rodelli, partner responsible for sustainability at Cantina Pizzolato. “In other recycling projects, the lack of operational facilities in Italy still forces us to transport materials across the border. This is why we consider it particularly significant to be able to develop a local, circular supply chain. Our hope is that this experience will become a replicable model and a source of inspiration for other companies, helping to foster a culture of sustainability and shared responsibility capable of generating positive and lasting impacts”.
An industrial model aligned with regulatory challenges
The project forms part of an increasingly sustainability-focused European context for packaging, particularly in light of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which introduces stringent requirements regarding recyclability and recycled content.
At a time of profound transformation in the recycled plastics market, characterised by significant differences in quality and value amongst the available materials, the importance of certified, traceable industrial supply chains that comply with European standards is becoming increasingly evident. Against this scenario, Cantina Pizzolato has chosen to invest in a long-term project using high-quality recycled plastic packaging, produced within a secure and certified European supply chain such as that of Aliplast. This secondary raw material represents a strategic resource for the industry, particularly in a context marked by geopolitical instability, supply chain tensions and volatility in raw material costs. High-quality recycling reduces dependence on virgin resources and fossil fuels, whilst ensuring production continuity, greater industrial resilience and competitiveness. Relying on advanced recycling supply chains therefore transforms sustainability from mere regulatory compliance into a concrete lever for value creation.
For Cantina Pizzolato, moreover, the collaboration with Aliplast forms part of a long-standing sustainability programme, which includes organic viticulture practices, certifications such as Equalitas, efficient resource management and the recovery of production waste. Extending this approach to packaging and logistics now makes it possible to close the material loop, reducing the need for disposal and strengthening the overall coherence of the production model.