Europe’s plastics industry is facing a rapid loss of global competitiveness, driven by high costs, regulatory pressure and increasingly aggressive global markets.

According to an analysis published by Plastics Europe, the European plastics industry is approaching a critical tipping point. Rising energy costs, regulatory burdens and declining investments have significantly weakened the competitive position of European producers compared to other regions worldwide.
The data shows that while global plastics production continues to grow, European production capacity is stagnating or even declining, with some industrial sites being closed or relocated. At the same time, the industry faces increasingly demanding requirements related to sustainability, recycled content and carbon footprint, often without adequate economic support mechanisms.
Industry representatives warn that, without rapid and coherent action at EU level, Europe risks becoming increasingly dependent on imports, losing not only industrial capacity but also strategic know-how.
The message is clear: environmental ambitions and economic realities must be aligned, so that the transition to a more sustainable plastics industry does not turn into a major competitive disadvantage for Europe.