Știri

The European plastics recycling industry is facing increasing economic pressure. Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) warns that several recycling plants across the EU may be forced to reduce operations or even shut down due to rising costs and global market competition.

A recent market report indicates sustained growth in global demand for rHDPE (post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene), driven by mandatory recycled content requirements and increasing pressure for circular packaging solutions.

growing number of plastic packaging claims on European supermarket shelves are considered misleading by experts.
Specialists warn about the confusion between recyclable plastics, recycled plastics and so-called chemical recycling.
The lack of clear standards and independent verification increases the risk of greenwashing.

The European Commission is setting a clear agenda for plastics circularity in 2026, focusing on increasing the use of recycled plastics, legislative clarification (including end-of-waste criteria), and policy tools designed to stimulate demand for recycled materials in packaging.

The European Commission has launched a package aimed at harmonising “end-of-waste” (EoW) criteria for recycled plastics across the EU. The draft is open for public consultation until 26 January 2026, while adoption of the criteria is expected later in 2026.

The European recycled polypropylene (rPP) market enters 2026 in a difficult environment, characterized by weak Q1 demand, downward price pressure, and intensified competition from virgin material. Value-chain players are adopting cautious strategies and becoming more selective regarding end-use applications.

Australia’s plastics recycling sector is facing a severe structural crisis, as cheap imports of virgin plastic undermine the competitiveness of recycled materials. Industry representatives warn that without urgent policy intervention, recycling infrastructure risks large-scale closures.

The European Commission has announced its legislative priorities for 2026 regarding the circular economy of plastics. The focus is on strengthening the market for recycled plastics, reducing dependence on virgin plastic, and harmonising rules across EU Member States.

According to recent industry analysis, declining demand and production adjustments in 2025 have led to lower virgin polymer prices in Europe, increasing pressure on recycled plastics markets—particularly rPP and rPE segments that compete directly with virgin materials.

In Q4 2025, the price gap between recycled plastics (rPCR) and virgin polymers remains unfavorable for recycling, driven by weak demand and the strong competitiveness of virgin material.

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new rules covering vehicle circularity and the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The framework includes requirements aimed at increasing the use of recycled materials, including recycled plastics, in the automotive sector.

The global recycled thermoplastics market is projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, from around USD 63 billion in 2025 to more than USD 145 billion by 2034. Growth is driven by demand from packaging, automotive and construction, alongside tightening sustainability regulations.

The European Commission has published the 2025 guidance introducing a unified framework for documenting and verifying the traceability of recycled plastics across the EU.

Toyota Motor Corporation will invest €120 million to scale up production lines using recycled plastic materials, reinforcing its long-term commitment to low-carbon automotive manufacturing.

BASF has introduced a new portfolio of polyamides manufactured exclusively from electronic waste (WEEE), in line with Europe’s growing demand for high-performance recycled engineering plastics.

Constructorul auto Dacia anunță că noua generație a modelului electric Spring va include peste 30% materiale plastice reciclate, în special pentru componente interioare și piese tehnice, consolidând angajamentul mărcii față de sustenabilitate.

The new ELV package introduces binding recycled content targets for plastics in vehicles, along with easier dismantling and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Pachetul ELV introduce design pentru demontare & ținte de conținut reciclat (inclusiv plastic). Consiliul a susținut linii-cheie în iunie.