After much talk, everything is ready: the transition plan to Industry 5.0 is ready to go and (for now on paper) promises to revolutionise the current conception of production processes.
Key concepts are human-machine collaboration and environmental sustainability.
How will the investments that will have to be made by the Italian industrial machine to adapt to the new paradigm be implemented and supported?
In this article, we will take a closer look at the pillars of Industry 5.0 in order to understand the concrete benefits for companies and what tax incentives are available under the Transition Plan.
What is Industry 5.0?
Industry 5.0 is a new industrial model based on human-machine collaboration, customisation of production and environmental sustainability.
Let us look in more detail at the directions of this new paradigm:
- customised production – Industry 5.0 integrates into the production chain the creation of products and services tailored to the specific needs of each customer, ensuring greater flexibility and aiming for greater market satisfaction;
- Smart factories – The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics (such as the islands we design at Robofeed) and IoT (Internet of Things) makes it possible to optimise production processes, increasing efficiency and quality;
- collaborative work – Man and machine work side by side in a safe and collaborative environment, enhancing human skills and relieving repetitive tasks;
- Environmental sustainability – Industry 5.0 focuses on environmental protection, promoting the use of renewable energy, waste reduction and the adoption of environmentally friendly processes.
Compared to Industry 4.0, the approach is more human centric: machines are still a fundamental part of the production process but more responsibility is delegated to the human component. The worker becomes the conductor of a process whose quality bar is set higher and higher.
Industry 5.0 and the Transition Plan
The Italian government has launched the Transition 5.0 Plan: an ambitious initiative to accompany companies towards a more efficient industrial model, Industry 5.0, whose keywords are resilience and respect for the environment.
Initiated as Decree Law 19/2024 and later converted into Law 56/2024 with its publication in the Official Gazette, the Transition Plan is regulated under the name ‘Further Urgent Provisions for the Implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR)’.
The main objective of this plan is to support investments in digitisation and technological innovation, with a focus on staff training.
Why investments in these fields? Because Industry 5.0 bases its paradigm on three main aspects:
- create a Collaborative Industry model, where man and machine work together to offer customised products and services in line with each customer’s needs;
- realising the green transition, reducing the environmental impact of production activities and pursuing the goals of Agenda 2030;
- strengthen ‘Made in Italy’ by enhancing the skills and talent of Italian workers, for a more globally competitive manufacturing future.
How does the Transition 5.0 Plan work?
The Transition 5.0 Plan represents a unique opportunity for Italian companies. An opportunity to innovate, grow and establish themselves as leading players in the global industrial landscape.
To support the Italian industrial machine, then, the government has set up a structured system of tax credits linked to the adoption of ‘Industry 5.0 technologies’.
The focus is on three fronts:
- acquisition of capital goods – investment in at least one of the tangible and intangible capital goods envisaged in the plan (latest-generation machinery, plant and software, including automated solutions designed by Robofeed), including these goods in an innovation project involving a reduction of at least 3% for the production structure located in the national territory or at least 5% in the energy consumption of the processes concerned;
- systems for self-production and self-consumption of energy -such as photovoltaic systems;
- staff training – with reference to expenditure on the development and consolidation of specialised skills to better manage technologies related to the digital and energy transition.
Industry 5.0: the benefits for companies
Why should a company choose to invest in achieving a structure in line with the parameters of Industry 5.0?
First of all, the new paradigm allows for an increase in competitiveness: Industry 5.0 encourages adaptation to changing market needs, stimulating differentiation from the competition and gaining a lasting competitive advantage.
Furthermore, process optimisation and the use of innovative technologies and automated solutions result in increased efficiency, productivity and profitability.
Not only that: automation (e.g. through the integration of robotic islands) and digitisation make it possible to cut production costs and optimise the use of resources.
The ability to offer customised and sustainable products opens the door to new markets and business opportunities.
Finally, Industry 5.0 places the skills and creativity of workers at the centre, investing in their training and professional growth, with a significant enhancement of human capital.
How to access tax incentives?
The Transition 5.0 Plan provides for a system of tax credits for companies investing in technologies and solutions dedicated to Industry 5.0. The percentage of the tax credit varies according to the reduction in energy consumption achieved, being up to 45% of the investments made.
In order to start applying for the incentives, it will still be necessary to wait for the issuing of the implementing decrees, which will provide the necessary indications to calculate the energy savings achieved by companies with the new investments and, at the same time, define the group of entities entitled to compile the certifications.
Together with the implementing decrees, the platform through which communications can be sent to the GSE will also be made operational.
To apply for the incentives, once the platforms have been set up, it will be necessary to submit an application to the Agenzia delle Entrate, accompanied by documentation proving that the investment has been made and that the requirements have been met.
In the meantime, to facilitate future enquiries, it is important that invoices issued for purchases, leases and Bills of Lading contain the words ‘Property eligible for aid pursuant to Law 178/2020, Article 1, paragraphs 1054 to 1062, as amended by Law 234/2021 in compliance with the provisions of Law 56/2024, Article 38’..
Industry 5.0 and Robofeed: a winning combination
Joining Industry 5.0 means embracing a more efficient, sustainable and resilient manufacturing future. An opportunity to be seized for companies that want to remain competitive and prepare for the challenges of the global market.
Robofeed, specialising in automated solutions for servicing CNC machines, offers companies the technology and know-how needed to integrate Industry 5.0 principles into their production processes.
Why choose Robofeed? Our solutions:
- They increase flexibility and production efficiency.
- They reduce costs and waste.
- They improve product quality.
- They foster human-machine collaboration.
In addition, investments in Robofeed solutions may be eligible for incentives under the Transition 5.0 Plan.
Contact us now to find out how Robofeed can help you make the leap to Industry 5.0!
