European industry associations call for strict restrictions on the import of recycled plastic materials.

The European Plastic Recyclers Association (PRE) issued a statement on March 19, urging EU institutions to take swift action to limit the import of recycled plastic materials in order to protect the plastic recycling industry within the EU. PRE President Ton Emans emphasized that the EU should quickly introduce import controls and implement existing regulations to restrict imports of recycled plastic materials that do not meet EU sustainability and safety standards.

The EU plastic recycling industry is on the brink of collapse. Cheap imported materials have exacerbated the impact of rising energy prices and plastic recycling costs on EU recycling companies. Data from PRE shows that since 2023, the plastic recycling capacity in the EU has experienced a dramatic decline, with the total capacity of bankrupt recycling companies in 2024 expected to double compared to 2023.

The role of the EU in the global plastic recycling industry is changing. PRE states that the EU's plastic waste exports are expected to surge by 36% in 2024 compared to 2022, while Global Trade Tracker (GTT) shows that the EU's exports of "plastic waste, scraps, and residues" will increase by 45% from 2022 to 2024, significantly impacting the flexible PE waste recycling industry within the EU.

Plastics Recyclers Europe is a nonprofit organization located in Brussels, Belgium, representing the interests of companies in the European plastics recycling industry. The association currently has over 200 member organizations, including companies such as KPMG, Procter & Gamble, and IKEA.