Europe's plastics recyclers are calling for an emergency package of industrial policy measures to bolster the sector's competitiveness. In a new position paper, Recycling Europe sets out a broad package of proposals aimed at strengthening the European plastics recycling industry. The proposals have also won the backing of the plastics recycling division of the umbrella association's German member bvse.
Recycling Europe is framing its circular economy agenda in increasingly industrial policy terms. Rather than concentrating solely on higher recycled content targets in EU legislation, the organisation is calling for a broader package of measures to strengthen the competitiveness of European plastics recyclers. These include stable and predictable policy frameworks, stronger markets for recyclates, a level playing field with imports, and improved conditions for investment in recycling.
According to Recycling Europe, the sector remains under considerable economic pressure. Recent increases in oil prices have temporarily narrowed the price gap between recycled and primary plastics, but the organisation argues that this does not address the industry's underlying problems. These include weak demand for recyclates, high energy and operating costs, and distortions of competition caused by imports....
