Home
Search History
Clear History
{{item.search_key}}
Hot Searches
Change
{{item.name}}
{{item.english_name}}
Subscribe eNews
Once A Week Once Every Two Weeks
{{sum}}
{{sum}}
Login

Please Login

Subscribe To Tags, See What You Want To See

Sign Up For Events, Expand your network

Unlock Private Messages, Participate In Interactions

 Register

Hi.{{userInfo.company_name_english||userInfo.truename_english}} Hi.{{userInfo.truename||userInfo.phone||userInfo.email}}

Applications

TactoTek’s in-mold electronics technology for exterior lighting production in China

Syensqo and Bucci Composites partner to accelerate automotive composites manufacturing

Fast and reliable: PPWR Compliance Compass expands with specialized AI chatbot

Products

Gneuss OMNI extrusion system reduces strap breaks in strapping production

Covestro completes acquisition of two HDI derivatives sites in Thailand and the US

Arburg’s digitalization solutions and innovative machines at Fakuma 2026

Activities

  • PLAST 2026 concluded beyond expectations

  • CRRE inks agreement with 5 key players in wind and solar equipment circularity

  • Fakuma 2026: Multi-faceted program for plastics industry

Pictorial

News Videos

A talk with Italian injection molding expert BMB

Inside Moretto: A tour of their Italian production facilities

Top 10 Technology Trends awards presented at CHINAPLAS 2026

Conference Videos

Summit Dialogue: Policy alignment and practices in plastic recycling across Asia

Interview: Pathways for development of plastics recycling in Malaysia

Driving systemic change: Unilever’s evolution in the circular economy

Corporate/Product Videos

Why Do Shoe Soles Keep Cracking? The Raw Material Truth No One Talks About

Tired of repairing the same roads? 30 seconds to unmask the real troublemaker in your asphalt.

Labels peeling, tape yellowing, slitting snapping? One raw material change fixes all three.

News
NEW
HOT
 Events
NEW
HOT
 SPE Asia
NEW
HOT
 Special
NEW
HOT
 Live
NEW
HOT
 eNews
NEW
HOT
 Essential Guide
NEW
HOT
 Event Calendar
NEW
HOT
 Survey
NEW
HOT
 CHINA INSIGHT
NEW
HOT

Home > News > Market News

Dramatic slowdown in Europe’s transition to a circular plastics system

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2026-05-22 Editor ：RC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Plastics Europe published its biennial report “The Circular Economy for Plastics: A European Analysis”, presenting the latest (year 2024) data and insights into Europe’s circular plastics transition, including trends in circular plastics production, conversion, consumption, and trade, as well as data on waste management.

 

The report’s key finding is that the pace of Europe’s transition has slowed dramatically amid increased global competition.

 

Europe’s annual growth in circular production has declined sharply from 13.6% in 2022 to only 1.2% in 2024, resulting in 8.7 Mt in circular output (or 15.8% of total production). By contrast, annual growth in global circular plastics production has accelerated from 5% to 7.7%.

 

Completing the picture, European converter demand for circular plastics is also losing momentum, falling from 16.2% annual growth in 2022 to 4% in 2024.

 

Similar research findings: Global post-consumer recycled packaging falls behind PPWR 2030 targets

 

Europe is exporting waste but importing recycled materials

 

New data on trade also highlights the significant dependence of Europe’s plastics transition on external value chains: 19% of converter demand for circular plastics was met through imports, and 12.4% of Europe’s collected waste is recycled in other regions.

 

Europe’s dependence on imports is even greater for fossil-based plastics, with 25% of converter demand being met from abroad.

 

“As a result of high energy and feedstock prices, emissions costs and a lack of fair trade, Europe’s plastics manufacturers are in survival mode. Our value chain cannot make the necessary investments in circularity,” said Rob Ingram, President of Plastics Europe and CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe.

 

Gulf crisis exposed: European circular plastics economy is non-negotiable

 

Europe still maintains the largest share of circular plastics (15.8%) in relation to its total production mix. However, its ongoing leadership has been driven primarily by a sharp decline in fossil-based plastics production, which fell by 8.3% to 43.3 Mt between 2022 and 2024.

 

“The Gulf crisis has reinforced how exposed Europe is to fossil-resource shocks, and that a strong European circular plastics economy is not a nice-to-have; it’s non-negotiable. It’s time to reclaim ownership of our circular economy, starting with keeping and using strategic resources in Europe,” Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, urged.

 

While recycling rates have improved to 29.6%, over 70% of Europe’s collected plastic waste – a valuable circular feedstock that could reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil resources – continued to be sent to incineration (16.0 Mt, 48.9%) and landfill (7.0 Mt, 21.5%) in 2024. 

 

Problem? Lack of market signals, scale and speed

 

Despite the European Commission recognising the strategic importance of the plastics manufacturing sector in the Industrial Accelerator Act, current EU policy frameworks lack the market signals, scale and speed required to reverse current trends.

 

Urgent action is needed at EU and national levels to restore industry’s competitiveness and unlock investment in circular plastics at scale.

 

This must address Europe’s energy and emissions cost crisis, ensure fair trade and a level playing field, and foster strong market demand for circular plastics through ambitious market pull measures, unlocking the economic power of a harmonized single market.

 

“We must create the business case for circular plastics in Europe, by making it economically attractive to keep and recycle our plastic waste,” Janssens added.

 

She concluded: “Europe is home to many of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking plastics manufacturers and has been a frontrunner in the transition to a circular plastic system. With the right support, we can create a thriving circular plastics system that underpins the next generation of industry in Europe and ensures its economic resilience and security.”


 Like 丨  {{details_info.likes_count}}
Recycled plastics
Europe
Circular economy
Plastics recycling
 ZHANGJIAGANG XINRONG MACHINERY CO.,LTD      
 HEFEI TAIHE INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO.,LTD.      
 GREENCORE RESOURCES LIMITED      
 GUANGDONG GUOHENG YOUHE ADVANCED MATERIALS CO., LTD.      
 KADIDE      
 HUIZHOU LITUO ADVANCED MATERIALS CO.,LTD.      
 ANHUI ZHONGXIN HONGWEI TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD      
 SOJITZ（SHANGHAI）CO.,LTD.      
 HEBEI GELIA PLASTIC MACHINERY SALES COMPANY      

The content you're trying to view is for members only. If you are currently a member, Please login to access this content.   Login

Source：Adsale Plastics Network Date ：2026-05-22 Editor ：RC
Copyright： This article was originally written/edited by Adsale Plastics Network (AdsaleCPRJ.com), republishing and excerpting are not allowed without permission. For any copyright infringement, we will pursue legal liability in accordance with the law.

Plastics Europe published its biennial report “The Circular Economy for Plastics: A European Analysis”, presenting the latest (year 2024) data and insights into Europe’s circular plastics transition, including trends in circular plastics production, conversion, consumption, and trade, as well as data on waste management.

 

The report’s key finding is that the pace of Europe’s transition has slowed dramatically amid increased global competition.

 

Europe’s annual growth in circular production has declined sharply from 13.6% in 2022 to only 1.2% in 2024, resulting in 8.7 Mt in circular output (or 15.8% of total production). By contrast, annual growth in global circular plastics production has accelerated from 5% to 7.7%.

 

Completing the picture, European converter demand for circular plastics is also losing momentum, falling from 16.2% annual growth in 2022 to 4% in 2024.

 

Similar research findings: Global post-consumer recycled packaging falls behind PPWR 2030 targets

 

Europe is exporting waste but importing recycled materials

 

New data on trade also highlights the significant dependence of Europe’s plastics transition on external value chains: 19% of converter demand for circular plastics was met through imports, and 12.4% of Europe’s collected waste is recycled in other regions.

 

Europe’s dependence on imports is even greater for fossil-based plastics, with 25% of converter demand being met from abroad.

 

“As a result of high energy and feedstock prices, emissions costs and a lack of fair trade, Europe’s plastics manufacturers are in survival mode. Our value chain cannot make the necessary investments in circularity,” said Rob Ingram, President of Plastics Europe and CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe.

 

Gulf crisis exposed: European circular plastics economy is non-negotiable

 

Europe still maintains the largest share of circular plastics (15.8%) in relation to its total production mix. However, its ongoing leadership has been driven primarily by a sharp decline in fossil-based plastics production, which fell by 8.3% to 43.3 Mt between 2022 and 2024.

 

“The Gulf crisis has reinforced how exposed Europe is to fossil-resource shocks, and that a strong European circular plastics economy is not a nice-to-have; it’s non-negotiable. It’s time to reclaim ownership of our circular economy, starting with keeping and using strategic resources in Europe,” Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, urged.

 

While recycling rates have improved to 29.6%, over 70% of Europe’s collected plastic waste – a valuable circular feedstock that could reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil resources – continued to be sent to incineration (16.0 Mt, 48.9%) and landfill (7.0 Mt, 21.5%) in 2024. 

 

Problem? Lack of market signals, scale and speed

 

Despite the European Commission recognising the strategic importance of the plastics manufacturing sector in the Industrial Accelerator Act, current EU policy frameworks lack the market signals, scale and speed required to reverse current trends.

 

Urgent action is needed at EU and national levels to restore industry’s competitiveness and unlock investment in circular plastics at scale.

 

This must address Europe’s energy and emissions cost crisis, ensure fair trade and a level playing field, and foster strong market demand for circular plastics through ambitious market pull measures, unlocking the economic power of a harmonized single market.

 

“We must create the business case for circular plastics in Europe, by making it economically attractive to keep and recycle our plastic waste,” Janssens added.

 

She concluded: “Europe is home to many of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking plastics manufacturers and has been a frontrunner in the transition to a circular plastic system. With the right support, we can create a thriving circular plastics system that underpins the next generation of industry in Europe and ensures its economic resilience and security.”


全文内容需要订阅后才能阅读哦~
立即订阅
Jiangyin Yuexing Machinery Co., Ltd. Gienkee Patented Infrared Heater Band
ANHUI SHAFENG ADVANCED MATERIAL CO., LTD. EN Innovative anti-aging solutions for rubber and plastics

Recommended Articles

Corporate News
LK Group tops out new Intelligent Casting Research Institute in Ningbo
 2026-07-06
Corporate News
BASF and Carlyle complete coatings transaction
 2026-07-03
Market News
【Market Insight】Four Key Trends in the Medical Device Industry – What Opportunities for Plastics Machinery?
 2026-07-02
Corporate News
Change of CEO at SIKORA
 2026-07-02
Corporate News
Ever bounced off your seat at the World Cup? That soft spring in your step comes from somewhere surprising.
 2026-07-01
  FUJIAN HONGKONG PETROCHEMICAL LIMITED 星尚会员
Corporate News
Struggling with Elastomer Material Compatibility? VERYONE’s Custom Formulas Win Industry Recognition!
 2026-06-30
  Guang Dong Veryone Technology Co.,Ltd. 标准会员
Specializing in Modified Composites Deepening Flame Retardan FUJIAN HONGKONG PETROCHEMICAL LIMITED
64cavity pet preform mould High-precision, high-viscosity gear pump JIANGSU XINFLON PLASTIC PRODUCTS CO.,LTD
  • Must See
    • News
    Images
    Watch it
1
Olin and Huntsman merge to create US$12B+ North American chemicals leader
2
Celanese optimizes production network in Asia
3
Sustainable TPE for comfort and durable smartwatch straps
4
Super carbon fiber lattices: Foam-like weight + aluminum-level performance
5
Clariant catalysts continue to shrink carbon footprints
1
A talk with Italian injection molding expert BMB
2
Why Do Shoe Soles Keep Cracking? The Raw Material Truth No One Talks About
3
Tired of repairing the same roads? 30 seconds to unmask the real troublemaker in your asphalt.
4
Labels peeling, tape yellowing, slitting snapping? One raw material change fixes all three.
  • Hot Specials

You May Be Interested In

Change
  • People
  • Company
loading... No Content
{{[item.truename,item.truename_english][lang]}} {{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} {{[item.job_name,item.name_english][lang]}}
{{[item.company_name,item.company_name_english][lang]}} Company Name    {{[item.display_name,item.display_name_english][lang]}}  

Polyurethane Investment Medical Carbon neutral Reduce cost and increase efficiency CHINAPLAS Financial reports rPET INEOS Styrolution Evonik Borouge Polystyrene (PS) mono-material Sustainability Circular economy BASF SABIC Multi-component injection molding machine All-electric injection molding machine Thermoforming machine

Dramatic slowdown in Europe’s transition to a circular plastics system

识别右侧二维码，进入阅读全文
下载
x 关闭
订阅
亲爱的用户，请填写一下信息
I have read and agree to the 《Terms of Use》 and 《Privacy Policy》
立即订阅
Top
Feedback
Chat
News
Market News
Applications
Products
Video
In Pictures
Specials
Activities
eBook
Front Line
Plastics Applications
Chemicals and Raw Material
Processing Technologies
Products
Injection
Extrusion
Auxiliary
Blow Molding
Mold
Hot Runner
Screw
Applications
Packaging
Automotive
Medical
Recycling
E&E
LED
Construction
Others
Events
Conference
Webinar
CHINAPLAS
CPS+ eMarketplace
Official Publications
CPS eNews
Media Kit
Social Media
Facebook
Linkedin
Adsale Group ｜  About Us ｜  Terms of Use ｜  Privacy Policy ｜  Contact Us ｜  Media Kit ｜  Consent Letter for Processing Personal Data ｜