The De Sanctis Prize for Sustainability, a category introduced for the first time this year, was awarded to Roberto Sancinelli, President of Montello SpA, in the category for entrepreneurs, established companies, and startups that have implemented best practices in the field of sustainability.

The De Sanctis Prize for Sustainability recognizes individuals, organizations, and associations that have distinguished themselves in the promotion and protection of sustainable practices. It is awarded annually by the De Sanctis Foundation in categories dedicated to literature, social health, economic sciences, human rights, and, starting this year, sustainability. On November 26th, the award ceremony took place at the Chamber of Deputies, with the participation, among others, of our President Edo Ronchi, the Minister for the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and Gianni Letta, President of the Prize.

Motivation for awarding the De Sanctis Prize for Sustainability to Roberto Sancinelli

For his leading role in the successful launch of the industrial management—based on advanced processing lines and technologies—of large volumes of two major fractions of municipal waste: organic waste and post-consumer plastics. The industrial-scale management of large amounts of sorted municipal waste has supported the rapid and significant growth of separate waste collection, delivering substantial environmental benefits at a relatively low cost—such as reducing the need for landfills, conserving materials and energy, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. This has enabled a paradigm shift—from waste to resource—and has fostered the development of an activity that is essential for the ecological transition, generating both economic value and significant new employment.

In this industrial approach, Roberto Sancinelli has become a national benchmark thanks to his continuous commitment to technological and process innovation in waste recycling, which has enabled Montello SpA’s plants to achieve the highest recycling rates for post-consumer plastics and to be among the first to pursue high-quality chemical recycling. This ongoing push for innovation had already led Montello SpA to build the first industrial plant for the production of biomethane and carbon dioxide—of a quality suitable for use in beverages—obtained from the biogas generated by anaerobic digestion of organic waste.

The qualities and dedication of entrepreneurs like Roberto Sancinelli, in establishing waste recycling as a significant, innovative, and advanced industrial activity, have helped make Italy one of the European leaders in the circular economy.

Alongside Sancinelli, the Prize was also awarded to Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the National Civil Protection Volunteer Committee, and—with a special mention—Professor Alessandro Lanza.