The European Union is easing proposed recycled content requirements for plastics used in automotive applications
• The new proposed overall target is 20% recycled content
• Out of this, 15% should come from End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) recycling streams
• Main reason: Europe’s recycling and supply infrastructure is not yet sufficiently developed
• Industry stakeholders warn about shortages in sorting and high-quality recycling capacities for automotive plastics

The European Union is reconsidering its recycled content ambitions for automotive plastics after growing concerns from both the automotive and recycling industries regarding material availability and infrastructure readiness.

According to PlasticsToday, the revised proposal lowers the overall recycled plastic content target for vehicles to 20%, with 15% expected to originate from recycled End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV).
Initial proposals were significantly more ambitious, but industry representatives warned that current European recycling capacities are not yet capable of delivering the required volumes and quality standards for automotive-grade applications.

The main challenges identified include:
• insufficient advanced sorting infrastructure
• limited recycling capacity for engineering plastics
• traceability and certification difficulties
• strict automotive quality and safety requirements
• limited availability of high-performance recycled compounds suitable for structural and premium applications

For the European plastics and recycling industry, the decision highlights the growing tension between sustainability objectives and industrial reality.

At the same time, the softer targets may provide recyclers, compounders, and automotive suppliers with additional time to invest in advanced recycling technologies and build the infrastructure needed to support future circularity goals.