{"id":9935,"date":"2025-09-15T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T05:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T10:44:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T07:44:32","slug":"eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe\u2019s Plastics Industry Demands Urgent EU Action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to Plastic Recyclers Europe&#8217;s latest <a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticsrecyclers.eu\/news\/plastics-value-chain-demands-immediate-action-to-save-eu-industry\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">publication<\/a>, Europe\u2019s plastics value chain is in crisis. Production is down, recycling plants are shutting, and the EU\u2019s global market share has dropped from 22 % in 2006 to just 12 %. By the end of 2025, nearly one million tonnes of recycling capacity will disappear, putting competitiveness and climate goals at serious risk.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#Industry_Leaders_Issue_Urgent_Appeal\" >Industry Leaders Issue Urgent Appeal<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#Six_Strategic_Recommendations_to_Secure_Europes_Plastics_Industry\" >Six Strategic Recommendations to Secure Europe\u2019s Plastics Industry<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#1_Restore_Fair_Competition\" >1. Restore Fair Competition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#2_Reduce_Energy_Burdens\" >2. Reduce Energy Burdens<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#3_Strengthen_Enforcement_and_Market_Surveillance\" >3. Strengthen Enforcement and Market Surveillance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#4_End_Regulatory_Fragmentation\" >4. End Regulatory Fragmentation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#5_Drive_Innovation_and_Unlock_Investment\" >5. Drive Innovation and Unlock Investment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#6_Improve_Extended_Producer_Responsibility_EPR\" >6. Improve Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/eu-plastics-recycling-crisis-industry-demand-action\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Industry_Leaders_Issue_Urgent_Appeal\"><\/span><strong>Industry Leaders Issue Urgent Appeal<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In a joint letter sent to EU policymakers, 28 leading organizations across the plastics value chain have outlined six urgent measures needed to stabilize and future-proof the sector (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.plasticsrecyclers.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Strategic-Recommendations-for-a-Resilient-and-Circular-Plastics-Value-Chain-in-Europe.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\"><em>Strategic Recommendations for a Resilient and Circular Plastic Value Chain in Europe<\/em><\/a>). The signatories highlight structural pressures including <strong>cheap imports<\/strong>, <strong>soaring energy costs<\/strong>, <strong>fragmented regulation<\/strong>, and growing<strong> legal uncertainty<\/strong>. Without corrective action, the letter warns, Europe risks <strong>mass bankruptcies, job losses, and the erosion of decades of investment<\/strong> in circularity and innovation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Six_Strategic_Recommendations_to_Secure_Europes_Plastics_Industry\"><\/span><strong>Six Strategic Recommendations to Secure Europe\u2019s Plastics Industry<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Restore_Fair_Competition\"><\/span><strong>1. Restore Fair Competition<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">According to the letter,<strong> EU recyclates<\/strong> and <strong>polymers<\/strong> must be prioritized to drive the transition to circular plastics. Industry groups call for <strong>mirror measures <\/strong>on imports, <strong>stricter customs checks<\/strong>, <strong>incentives<\/strong> for collection and sorting infrastructure, and <strong>reforms<\/strong> in public procurement to favor EU-based recyclates. Reducing landfill and incineration of plastics is also seen as essential to keep materials in the loop.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Reduce_Energy_Burdens\"><\/span><strong>2. Reduce Energy Burdens<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Recycling and plastics conversion processes need access to <strong>affordable energy<\/strong>. The industry is calling for eligibility under EU funding frameworks such as the NZIA and CEEAG, as well as targeted state aid and tax relief. Revenues from emissions trading and plastics-related levies <strong>should be reinvested directly into circular plastics infrastructure<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Strengthen_Enforcement_and_Market_Surveillance\"><\/span><strong>3. Strengthen Enforcement and Market Surveillance<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A level playing field also requires tighter <strong>customs control<\/strong>, <strong>harmonized EU verification<\/strong>, and <strong>oversight of recycled content claims<\/strong>. Industry groups emphasize the need for separate customs codes for fossil-based, bio-based, and recycled feedstocks, as well as stronger enforcement of the REACH and food contact legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-9917\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"EU plastics recycling crisis - ecological engineering standing on the mountain rubbish big pile\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/vecteezy_ecological-engineering-standing-on-the-mountain-rubbish-big_10507936-2048x1363.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_End_Regulatory_Fragmentation\"><\/span><strong>4. End Regulatory Fragmentation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Harmonized implementation<\/strong> <strong>of EU legislation<\/strong> across Member States is critical. Consistent enforcement of recycled content targets, streamlined permitting, and EU-wide End-of-Waste criteria are needed to scale circular solutions. Authorities must be resourced to fast-track approvals for safe recycled plastics, <strong>particularly in food-contact applications<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Drive_Innovation_and_Unlock_Investment\"><\/span><strong>5. Drive Innovation and Unlock Investment<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Delivering circularity at scale, according to the letter, depends on advancing breakthrough recycling technologies, improving collection and sorting systems, and creating a <strong>regulatory framework that de-risks investment<\/strong>. Coordinated governance and clear rules at both EU and national levels are seen as key to stimulating <strong>private financing <\/strong>and<strong> industrial uptake<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Improve_Extended_Producer_Responsibility_EPR\"><\/span><strong>6. Improve Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Lastly,<strong> harmonized EPR rules <\/strong>and<strong> eco-modulated fees<\/strong> are necessary to avoid market fragmentation and incentivize recyclability and recycled content. Industry groups stress that governance should involve the full value chain, while <strong>preventing fee-based competition <\/strong>that could lead to minimal compliance.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The plastics sector warns that the EU stands at a crossroads. Unless policymakers act decisively to enforce fair competition, lower energy costs, and stimulate investment, Europe risks losing its industrial base, innovation capacity, and leadership in the transition to a circular plastics economy. The recommendations put forward are not optional but vital to safeguard thousands of jobs, protect green investments, and ensure that Europe remains a global frontrunner in sustainable plastics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to Plastic Recyclers Europe&#8217;s latest publication, Europe\u2019s plastics value chain is in crisis. Production is down, recycling plants are shutting, and the EU\u2019s global market share has dropped from 22 % in 2006 to just 12 %. By the end of 2025, nearly one million tonnes of recycling capacity will disappear, putting competitiveness and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":9918,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28,543,541],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en","category-advocacy-enforcement-en","category-industry-trends-reports-en","category-28","category-543","category-541","description-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9935"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9942,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9935\/revisions\/9942"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9918"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}