# Hera Group waste management and recycling expansion

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/hera-group-waste-management-and-recycling-expansion
> Updated: 2026-10-20T10:47:00.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 2.

Hera Group is expanding its waste management and recycling infrastructure across Italy. The company announced plans for a new 10,000-square-meter ecological island facility in Imola to replace an existing site by 2028, alongside upgrades to street recycling bins in Misano Adriatico.

Furthering its circular economy initiatives, Hera Group subsidiary Aliplast inaugurated the R3GID (Recover Recycle Regenerate Plastic) plant in Modena. This 48.8 million euro facility, supported in part by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, is designed to process up to 30,000 tons of rigid plastics annually from urban and industrial sectors, including the automotive, cosmetics, and electronics industries. The plant aims to produce recycled materials with a certified purity level exceeding 99%, making them comparable to virgin fossil-based plastics. At full capacity, the plant is expected to employ 80 workers.

Hera CEO Orazio Iacono stated that the group intends to increase its annual production of recycled plastic from 120,000 to 160,000 tons by 2029. This investment is intended to address the European market shortage of high-quality recycled materials and ensure compliance with upcoming EU regulations, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (Ppwr) and the End of Life Vehicles (ELV) directive.

During the opening, Italy’s Minister of Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, noted that authorities are evaluating mechanisms to support the sector while increasing inspections to prevent the illegal import of virgin plastic labeled as recycled. Additionally, industry representatives from Plastics Recyclers Europe emphasized the necessity of high-quality production to meet 2030 EU objectives and called for a level playing field against cheaper imports from the Far East.

## Claims

- The R3GID plant in Modena can process up to 30,000 tons of recycled polymers annually. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The total investment for the facility was 48.8 million euros. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The plant will employ 80 workers at full capacity. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The recycled polymers achieve a certified purity level exceeding 99%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The plant produces recycled polymers with a certified purity level exceeding 99%. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The project received 7.7 million euros in direct contributions from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (Pnrr). (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The plant is expected to employ 80 workers at full capacity. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Italian government is evaluating mechanisms to support the recycling industry. (single source)
- Authorities have activated the Guardia di Finanza and Customs to monitor imported plastic that claims to be recycled but may be virgin material. (single source)
- The Italian government is evaluating mechanisms to support and integrate national recycling efforts. (single source)
- Authorities have activated the Guardia di Finanza and Customs to monitor imported plastic that may be falsely labeled as recycled. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Hera Group inaugurates R3GID plastic recycling plant in Modena

Hera Group's subsidiary Aliplast has opened the R3GID plant in Modena, capable of recycling 30,000 tons of rigid plastics annually to meet new EU environmental regulations.

23 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hera-group-subsidiary-aliplast-opens-plastic-recycling-plant-in-modena

### 2026-10-16: Hera Group expands waste management services in Imola and Misano Adriatico

Hera Group is expanding waste management services in Italy, including a new, larger ecological island in Imola and upgraded, technology-enabled recycling bins in Misano Adriatico.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hera-group-expands-waste-management-services-in-imola-and-misano-adriatico

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Cite as: Hera Group waste management and recycling expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/hera-group-waste-management-and-recycling-expansion