Safeguarding European Plastic Value Chain Competitiveness
The Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP) has joined Plastics Recyclers Europe and 18 key stakeholders across the plastics value chain in co-signing a joint statement, calling for immediate action to safeguard the competitiveness of the European plastics industry.
The European plastics value chain is currently facing a strong recession caused by persistent challenges, including a significant increase in non-EU imports of recycled and virgin plastics, reduced investment in domestic raw materials production and recycling capacity, and a declining demand for EU-produced virgin and recycled plastics. Despite its central role in driving innovation, circularity, and achieving EU climate goals, the sector now faces a critical moment, with Europe’s share of global plastics production having dropped from 28% in 2002 to 14% in 2022, and the growth rate of recycling capacity slowing dramatically from 16% in 2021 to just 6% in 2023.
To reverse this trend and secure Europe’s leadership in plastics innovation, stakeholders are urging decisive and targeted actions. Among the key priorities are the need to enforce EU environmental and safety regulations on all products, including imports, to establish a level playing field; addressing high energy costs that threaten industry competitiveness; and promoting best practices across Europe for production, recycling, and waste management. Additionally, establishing an EU-level incentive scheme will be essential to encourage circular solutions, drive investments, and ensure financial stability for the plastics value chain, enabling it to continue contributing to climate change mitigation. Without swift and strategic action, Europe risks further de-industrialization, loss of global competitiveness, and setbacks in achieving the 2030 EU environmental goals.
PCEP stands behind this call to action and remains committed to promoting a resilient, innovative, and circular plastics value chain in Europe. We encourage policymakers to address these urgent challenges as part of the 2024-2029 EU agenda to secure the sector’s role in the circular economy and strengthen Europe’s broader industrial strategy.
For more details, read the full press release here.