On 15 May 2025, the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale in Rome hosted the 7th edition of the Conferenza Nazionale sull’Economia Circolare, promoted by the Circular Economy Network in collaboration with ENEA. Taking place in a context of prolonged industrial slowdown and rising global instability, the conference tackled a central question: how can circular economy strategies contribute to revitalizing the Made in Italy industrial identity?

The event opened with institutional greetings from the Italian Ministry of Environment and featured the launch of the 2025 Italian Circular Economy Report. Presented by Edo Ronchi, President of the Foundation for Sustainable Development, the report offered updated data on national circularity indicators and cross-country comparisons within the EU. A key message emerged: circularity is not only an environmental imperative, but also a competitive advantage for European industries.

Particularly relevant to the textile and fashion sectors were discussions on sustainable value chains and consumer behavior. Contributions from CNA Federmoda and other key federations emphasized the urgency of embedding eco-design, material traceability, and circular consumption practices across the industry. These themes resonate closely with the objectives of the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles and upcoming related requirements.

The conference also spotlighted biotechnology's growing role in circular innovation, as well as the critical need to secure sustainable access to raw materials. A consumer survey conducted in collaboration with Legacoop and Ipsos revealed increasing public awareness and demand for circular options, underlining the importance of transparent information and responsible product design.

In the afternoon session, practical case studies brought the concepts to life. Italian companies and consortia—including Burgo Group, Montello, Novamont, and CONAI—shared experiences of how circular practices are being implemented to boost competitiveness, reduce environmental impact, and foster innovation. These examples serve as blueprints for other sectors, including fashion and textiles, which are increasingly under regulatory and market pressure to become circular.

As the EU continues to roll out its Green Deal, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), and related policy tools, the Italian experience showcased at CEN2025 demonstrates how national-level collaboration, data-driven strategy, and private-sector commitment can make the circular transition not only viable, but beneficial.