i-Foria launches demo plant in Northern Italy for recycling absorbent hygiene products

A new demonstration plant was inaugurated on Tuesday at the i-Foria engineering center in Spresiano, northeastern Italy, focusing on the full recycling treatment of absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), including diapers, incontinence pads, and sanitary napkins. The plant aims to recycle the main components of these products—plastic and cellulose-based superabsorbent polymers (SAP)—for reuse.

The recycling process begins with autoclaving the incoming waste materials using the same sterilization procedures as surgical medical instruments. After sterilization, the materials undergo a drying process and then enter a mechanical processing system, where a series of separation equipment extracts cellulose fibers containing SAP and various plastic components.

This demonstration plant aims to bring the proprietary recycling technology developed by the Italian startup i-Foria to full industrial scale. Currently, a large-scale plant in Capannori is in the late stages of development, funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
According to the company, it is currently in talks with international partners in the fields of waste management, consumer goods, and hygiene products.

Globally, approximately 30 million metric tons of absorbent hygiene product waste are generated each year—8.5 million tons in Europe alone, and about 900,000 tons in Italy. This waste is enough to fill three landfills annually.