ACTIVITY
Paper & packaging · Industrial intelligence

Country Activity

Activity in Italy

Last meaningful update:

Evidence period: –

Activity overview

Industrial operations across Italy reflect tangible installations and machinery upgrades across stock preparation, specialty papermaking, and converting. At DS Smith's Porcari mill, a major recycling stock preparation project was initiated with the startup of a 1,650 t/d ANDRITZ line incorporating a FibreFlow drum pulper. In specialty paper production, Sappi Carmignano completed an energy-efficiency upgrade on its off-line coater using Ircon-Solaronics GemDryer technology.

Downstream packaging and printing converters have simultaneously pursued capacity changes and capital investments in automated and finishing machinery. Converters including Àncora, Carby Label, and Saico Srl have deployed or contracted new equipment, ranging from digital embellishment and flexographic inline printing to flexo folder gluers scheduled for upcoming delivery.

What changed

  1. · Started · DS Smith / ANDRITZ · Italy

    DS Smith starts up ANDRITZ stock preparation line at Porcari mill

    DS Smith has successfully started a 1,650 t/d ANDRITZ stock preparation line in Italy, featuring Europe's largest FibreFlow drum pulper for recycled board.

  2. · Completed · Carby Label / Lombardi Converting Machinery · Italy

    Carby Label adds Lombardi inline flexo press for produce packaging

    Carby Label expands its fresh produce packaging capabilities by installing a new Invicta i1 670 inline flexo press from Lombardi Converting Machinery.

  3. · Completed · Àncora / Scodix · Italy

    Àncora installs Scodix Ultra 6500 SHD press for packaging embellishment

    Italian printing company Àncora has installed a new Scodix Ultra 6500 SHD press to scale its digital embellishment capabilities for the premium packaging market.

  4. · Planned · Saico Srl · Italy

    Saico Srl orders MHI flexo folder gluer for Perugia facility

    Italian converter Saico Srl has purchased its first MHI EVOL 100 Flexo Folder Gluer, scheduled for installation at its Perugia facility in January 2027.

  5. · Completed · Ircon-Solaronics / Sappi · Italy

    Sappi completes coater dryer upgrade at Carmignano mill

    Ircon-Solaronics has successfully upgraded an off-line coater at Sappi's Carmignano mill with GemDryer technology, achieving a 25% reduction in gas consumption.

Companies in motion

  • ANDRITZ

    DS Smith has successfully started a 1,650 t/d ANDRITZ stock preparation line in Italy, featuring Europe's largest FibreFlow drum pulper for recycled board.

  • Carby Label

    Carby Label expands its fresh produce packaging capabilities by installing a new Invicta i1 670 inline flexo press from Lombardi Converting Machinery.

  • DS Smith

    DS Smith has successfully started a 1,650 t/d ANDRITZ stock preparation line in Italy, featuring Europe's largest FibreFlow drum pulper for recycled board.

  • Ircon-Solaronics

    Ircon-Solaronics has successfully upgraded an off-line coater at Sappi's Carmignano mill with GemDryer technology, achieving a 25% reduction in gas consumption.

  • Lombardi Converting Machinery

    Carby Label expands its fresh produce packaging capabilities by installing a new Invicta i1 670 inline flexo press from Lombardi Converting Machinery.

  • Saico Srl

    Italian converter Saico Srl has purchased its first MHI EVOL 100 Flexo Folder Gluer, scheduled for installation at its Perugia facility in January 2027.

  • Sappi

    Ircon-Solaronics has successfully upgraded an off-line coater at Sappi's Carmignano mill with GemDryer technology, achieving a 25% reduction in gas consumption.

  • Scodix

    Italian printing company Àncora has installed a new Scodix Ultra 6500 SHD press to scale its digital embellishment capabilities for the premium packaging market.

  • Àncora

    Italian printing company Àncora has installed a new Scodix Ultra 6500 SHD press to scale its digital embellishment capabilities for the premium packaging market.

Connected developments

Operational enhancements in mill-level papermaking and processing

Both DS Smith and Sappi implemented equipment changes targeting specific mill processing phases: DS Smith deployed a 1,650 t/d recycled stock preparation line at Porcari, while Sappi upgraded drying equipment on an off-line coater at Carmignano. The evidence verifies specific equipment retrofits and startups at these two distinct mills, but it does not establish combined capital programs, broader mill-wide rebuilds, or uniform energy metrics across both sites.

Machinery additions in packaging converting and printing facilities

Converters Àncora and Carby Label completed equipment installations to expand their finishing and printing capabilities, adding a Scodix embellishment press and a Lombardi flexographic press respectively. Additionally, Saico Srl contracted an MHI flexo folder gluer for scheduled installation in 2027. While these developments reflect conversions across corrugated, flexible, and premium packaging plants, the records do not indicate shared sourcing, uniform timelines, or overall output totals across the three facilities.

Activity analysis

The documented Italian industrial activity spans both primary containerboard and paper production facilities alongside specialized converting plants. Mills have targeted specific process stages, such as fiber processing at Porcari and drying energy consumption at Carmignano, where upgrades focus directly on operational equipment rather than plant-wide line replacements.

At the converting tier, investments involve distinct machine configurations tailored to narrow operational roles, such as flexographic web handling for fresh produce packaging and digital enhancement presses. Contracted installations demonstrate commitments toward specific machine lines extending into early 2027, establishing verified timelines for factory-level automation and finishing additions.

Regional context

Global Activity

Original The Paper reports