Pandemic leaves digital laggard Italy scrambling to catch up

General view of the outside of the headquarters of Italian filter supplier Ecofiltri, in Vasto, Abruzzo region, Italy March 16, 2021. Simone Scafetta/Handout via REUTERS

MILAN (Reuters) - Small Italian car filter supplier Ecofiltri took out a state-backed loan last year, just like thousands of other businesses fighting to keep afloat during the pandemic.

But instead of burning through the cash to pay overdue rent and bills, Ecofiltri is investing the money on a technological revamp of its business. Already facing a longer-term switch to electric transport, the company was spurred to act after the virus crisis cut the number of drivers on the road.