Now is the time to stand united for the sector — not only to protect jobs and businesses at risk, but to safeguard Europe’s environmental and technological progress, ensuring a sustainable future for all,” stated Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. "We call on the EU institutions and national policymakers to act decisively and implement supportive measures to preserve the sector and Europe's circular economy."
With a total installed capacity of 13.5 million tonnes in 2024, plastics recycling in Europe remains well below the 6% annual growth required to achieve the PPWR targets. The sector is facing growing pressure from high production and energy costs, falling demand, and increasing volumes of low-priced, unregulated imports from outside the region. Polyolefin films and PET are most severely affected, each accounting for 25% of total closures in 2023-2024.
