Legambiente and RICREA together for the ecological transition

Waste that becomes an opportunity for a greener Italy, where innovation, decarbonization and sustainability pave the way for the future

Legambiente's project designed to innovate production and products, decarbonize and create new jobs by turning waste into valuable resources is called “I cantieri della transizione ecologica” (ecological transition sites). The initiative recounts the virtuous experiences that are reshaping our country through the integration of innovation, sustainability and decarbonization. Legambiente's project crosses the entire Peninsula, giving voice to stories of businesses, governments and local communities that have been able to transform environmental challenges into economic and employment opportunities.
In this context, RICREA, the National Consortium for the Recycling and Recovery of Steel Packaging, part of the CONAI system, is playing a key role.
Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of companies, steel recycling in Italy reached 87.8% in 2023, exceeding European targets and ensuring significant energy savings, reduced use of virgin raw materials and lower CO₂ emissions.

Two virtuous cases by RICREA

In the recent editions of the Ecological Transition Sites, the Consortium presented two examples of industrial excellence developed in 2023 and 2024. Sicily, one of the strategic areas on which the project is focusing its efforts to increase collection and recycling, is featured in the 2023 edition with Acciaierie di Sicilia, the island's only steel hub. The company has distinguished itself by adopting innovative technologies such as radiometric control, electric furnace melting, and rolling with Tempcore treatment. These solutions transform scrap into environmentally sustainable steel, contributing to decarbonization and ensuring high quality standards, including for earthquake-resistant applications.
Another virtuous example is Feralpi Group, based in Lonato del Garda (BS), a leader in low-emission steel production through the use of scrap, including steel packaging collected and recycled by RICREA. Feralpi, the protagonist of the 2024 edition, embodies the excellence of a steelmaking process based on 98.6% recycled material, thanks to furnace electrification and the recovery of heat, slag, water and dust.
Acciaierie di Sicilia and Feralpi Group are therefore in all respects "sites of the ecological transition": concrete signs of an industrial path undertaken, in which innovation, sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand, inviting us to look to the future with awareness, building an Italy which is increasingly responsible and green and at the cutting-edge for the next generations.