Publication date:
On 21 July 2025, the city of Treviso hosted the inauguration of a new demonstration plant that transforms used diapers and other absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) into secondary raw materials.
Based on a new and patented technology of the scale-up i-Foria Italia, this facility stems from the CBE JU-funded EMBRACED project, which successfully validated an integrated biorefinery concept. It is a concrete example of how CBE JU funding enables the scaling up of industrial innovation in Europe’s circular bioeconomy.
From research to industry
The EMBRACED project provided the scientific and technical foundation for recycling AHPs, a type of waste previously considered unrecyclable. By the end of the project in 2022, it had successfully demonstrated how to recover cellulose and plastics from used hygiene products. These materials were shown to be reusable in applications such as packaging and building materials.
Building on the public results from EMBRACED, i-Foria Italia developed and patented a proprietary and more energy-efficient recycling technology. The process meets strict environmental and health standards, including certified steam sterilisation and achieves up to 100 percent recovery of the input materials. The plant is a step closer in turning a concept into a scalable circular solution, with the potential for replication in Italy and across Europe.
Supporting EU policies and investment
The new plant contributes to a number of EU circular economy targets, including the Waste Framework Directive. It also supports Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which includes funding for 15 AHP recycling plants across the country, with a total planned investment of around €110 million. In March 2025, i-Foria was awarded the tender for a large industrial facility in Capannori (Lucca) and is participating in European tenders.
The launch of the plant shows a clear willingness to scale up innovative solutions for complex waste streams. Thanks to the support of national recovery plans and EU innovation funding, the successful demonstration of AHP recycling is opening new opportunities to replicate this model in nine other regions in Italy, contributing to Europe’s broader shift toward a circular economy.
A visible sign of CBE JU impact
The Treviso demonstration plant is a strong example of how CBE JU investments can deliver lasting impact. The results of EMBRACED are now being translated into real-world impact, with solutions like AHP recycling becoming part of Europe’s shift toward a more circular, competitive and sustainable economy.
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director, CBE JU
