According to a recent publication by Plastics Recyclers Europe, the European plastic recycling industry is facing an unprecedented crisis. Declining domestic production, increased reliance on imports, and mounting economic pressures have forced many companies to shut down. Despite repeated warnings from industry leaders, the situation has deteriorated, threatening the entire plastic recycling value chain.
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Call for Immediate Policy Intervention
Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, has emphasized the urgent need for decisive action. He has called on EU policymakers to enforce existing regulations and introduce stricter controls on imports. Specifically, he urges restrictions on materials that fail to meet EU sustainability and safety standards. The industry has invested 5 billion euros between 2020 and 2023 to meet mandatory targets, and without stronger policy measures, these investments are at risk.
Economic Challenges and Market Distortions
The publication highlights that European recyclers are grappling with escalating energy and waste input costs, which have significantly increased operational expenses. At the same time, cheaper imported materials—often lacking transparency regarding their origin—are flooding the market, undercutting domestic recyclers. These unfair trade practices are making it even harder for European companies to remain competitive.
Declining Domestic Production and Rising Imports
Plastics Recyclers Europe reports that over 20 % of EU polymer consumption relies on imported recycled and virgin polymers, while domestic recycling output has dropped by 5 % for most types of polymers. If this trend continues, EU plastic production will regress to levels not seen since the year 2000, despite increasing polymer consumption.
Alarming Surge in Plastic Waste Exports
Adding to the crisis, the publication notes that the EU’s plastic waste exports surged by 36 % in 2024 compared to 2022. This shift signals a growing dependence on external markets for waste management rather than enhancing recycling capacity within the region. As a result, the expansion of the EU’s recycling sector has slowed to its lowest rate in years, and facility closures have accelerated. In 2024, the total capacity of recycling plants that shut down doubled compared to 2023, with the trend worsening in 2025. Both small and large companies are being affected by these closures, creating instability across the sector.
Threat to Sustainability Goals
The worsening market conditions outlined in the publication have led to a decline in recycling rates, a slowdown in circular economy adoption, and an increased reliance on less sustainable plastic production methods. These challenges are pushing the EU further away from achieving its 2025 recycling and sustainability targets.
Plastics Recyclers Europe warns that without recognizing plastic recycling as a strategically important sector and implementing effective trade defense mechanisms, the EU risks further damaging its recycling industry. Continued inaction will undermine Europe’s commitment to a circular plastics economy, weaken resource independence, and threaten green job opportunities.
Conclusion
The Plastics Recyclers Europe publication makes it clear that the situation in the EU’s plastic recycling sector demands immediate intervention. Policymakers must take swift and decisive action to enforce regulations, control imports, and support domestic recyclers. Failure to do so will not only weaken the industry but also jeopardize the EU’s sustainability commitments and long-term economic resilience.
