A new European Commission report has found that the EU’s plastics industry and recycling market is undergoing a recession, with investments dropping and imports rising. Experts at Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) warn policy implementation gaps and loopholes have left many recyclers struggling to survive in a market increasingly saturated with uncontrolled imports that fail to meet EU standards.The report, The Future of European Competitiveness, argues that plastics recycling currently lacks a “strong business case” and remains unprofitable for producers. Virgin materials remain cheaper, with carbon pricing factored in, while landfill and waste incineration costs are still low. Additionally, earning a “green premium” for recycled plastics is challenging due to the higher costs and often limited quality of the secondary material.
