October 30, 2023 - European plastics manufacturers have agreed on a roadmap for Plastics Transition, which aims to accelerate the transformation of plastics towards recycling and net-zero lifecycle emissions. At the same time, it prevents the transfer of industrial activities and investments from Europe to other regions and avoids increasing dependence on imports.
"The Transforming Plastics roadmap emphasizes what Plastics Europe calls the "urgent need" for a policy framework to stimulate circular markets and investment.
Plastics Europe says its vision is to create a sustainable plastics system that continues to meet the needs of consumers and society while supporting the transformation of many downstream industries.
The roadmap establishes a pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the entire plastics system by 28% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050. It also projects that recycled plastics could meet 25% of Europe's demand in 2030 and 65% in 2050.
Plastics Europe says that the cumulative additional investment and operating costs to achieve these goals are expected to reach 235 billion euros.
The roadmap identifies several "key levers and enablers" and details near-, short- and medium-term milestones and actions for plastics manufacturers. It also notes that circularity requires a complete value chain approach and includes suggested actions for policymakers and value chain stakeholders between now and 2030.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, commented, "For the first time, our industry has come together to develop an ambitious and realistic plan to redesign the European plastics system - the 'Plastics Transformation ' roadmap. This will be our North Star for the coming years and reflects the profound cultural shift taking place in our industry."
The roadmap also calls for a European waste management system suitable for net-zero emissions and a circular economy, setting minimum recycled plastics content targets for key plastics applications and unlocking industry investment, such as chemical recycling infrastructure.
Marco ten Bruggencate, President of Plastics Europe and Commercial Vice President EMEA for Dow's Packaging and Specialty Plastics business, said, "We are pleased that the Green Deal provides the opportunity to create a thriving and competitive European plastics industry, allowing us to increase investment and innovation in recycling and decarbonization.
"However, in order to make the transition, we need to take steps to safeguard the competitiveness of our industry if we are to prevent industrial activity and investment from shifting away from Europe and avoid increasing reliance on imports of plastics that don't necessarily meet EU sustainability standards."
