Plastics Recyclers Europe has released a warning about the state of the European Union (EU) plastic recycling industry, urging policymakers to introduce further import controls and enforce existing legislation as plant closures increase and domestic production declines.
The industry association reports that domestic recycling has fallen by five per cent for most polymers, while imports of both recycled and virgin polymers now account for over 20 per cent EU polymer consumption.
It also highlights that the total capacity of recycling facilities that closed in 2024 doubled compared to 2023, with the situation ‘worsening’ in 2025. These closures are impacting both small and large companies across the sector, which is reaching ‘a breaking point’.
Market pressures facing plastic recycling
Plastics Recyclers Europe points out that European recyclers are facing multiple operational challenges including high energy costs and increasing waste input costs. Simultaneously, they claim to be being undercut by cheaper imported materials that often come with ‘fraudulent claims’ due to a lack of transparency regarding material origin.
EU plastic production is now projected to regress to levels last seen in 2000, even as overall polymer consumption continues to grow. This decline comes at a time when plastic waste exports from the EU have grown by 36 per cent in 2024 compared to 2022.
The industry is experiencing its slowest capacity growth in years, according to data released by the association in 2024. Europe’s recycling capacity has stagnated with an increase of only 6 per cent in 2023, its lowest growth since 2017.
These negative market trends have led to declining recycling rates, hindered the adoption of circular practices, and increased reliance on unsustainable production methods. As a result, Plastics Recyclers Europe warns that the EU’s recycling and sustainability targets for 2025 are at risk of not being met.
Ton Emans, President at Plastics Recyclers, commented: “We urge EU policymakers to take a fast and strong political stance, introducing effective import controls and enforcing existing legislation, including the restriction of importing materials which do not meet equivalent EU sustainability and safety standards.”
Call for government support and trade defence
Plastics Recyclers Europe is calling for the recognition of plastic recycling as a strategic sector for the EU. The association argues that without effective utilisation of trade defence measures to protect European production against market distortions, the industry will continue to decline.
It also warns that without immediate action, the consequences will be severe across the entire plastics value chain, affecting the investments already made to meet mandatory targets.
Emans added: “These measures are crucial for the plastic recycling industry’s survival, which has already invested 5 billion euros between 2020 and 2023 just to meet mandatory targets.
“Now more than ever, decisive action is essential.”
