December 18, 2024 16:35
Eighteen European associations representing the plastics industry have issued a joint appeal to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and key economic and environmental commissioners. The letter calls for immediate action during the current legislative term to promote a circular economy and strengthen the EU’s competitiveness.
The signatories highlight a severe downturn in the plastics industry, driven by increased imports of non-EU recycled plastics, reduced investments in domestic raw materials production and recycling, as well as a lack of demand for EU-virgin and recycled plastics.
Key statistics underscore the crisis: Europe’s share of global plastics production fell from 28% in 2002 to 14% in 2022, while the growth of recycling capacity slowed from 16% in 2021 to 6% in 2023.
The associations demand that imported materials meet the same environmental, health, and safety standards required within the EU. They argue that unregulated imports of virgin and recycled plastics are undermining European businesses. Additionally, soaring energy costs are eroding the competitiveness of EU industries.
“We must urgently address the existing market uncertainties to prevent further deindustrialization and establish a single market for waste and recycled plastics,” the joint statement reads. “To achieve this, best practices should be implemented across all Member States—from production and processing to collection, sorting, and recycling—and accompanied by clear enforcement measures to ensure progress toward legislative targets.”
The letter also emphasizes the need for EU-level incentive schemes to boost investment, along with clear legislative measures to promote circular solutions. These steps, the associations argue, will provide the plastic value chain with the financial stability needed to drive innovation and continue contributing to climate change mitigation.
Without decisive and targeted action, the appeal warns, Europe risks losing its leadership in innovative plastic production and recycling. Such a decline would jeopardize the broader industrial base and hinder the implementation of the 2030 environmental legal framework.
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