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China is increasing its exports of recycled plastics, particularly rPET and rPP, with estimated growth of 15–25% in recent years. This trend is creating direct competitive pressure on European recyclers and traders.

Following the publication of the PPWR implementation guidance by the European Commission, industry bodies such as European Brands Association and FoodDrinkEurope warn that significant uncertainties remain, particularly around recycled content verification, costs, and consistent application across EU member states.

Deși volumele colectate cresc, calitatea neuniformă a deșeurilor reduce eficiența reciclării, crește costurile și limitează utilizarea materialelor reciclate în aplicații industriale.

From March 31, 2026, England implements simplified nationwide recycling rules, while from April 1, the plastic packaging tax rises to £228.82/tonne for materials containing less than 30% recycled content.

Un nou document de ghidaj publicat astăzi clarifică una dintre cele mai importante prevederi ale viitorului regulament european privind ambalajele (PPWR): începând cu 12 august 2026, toate ambalajele introduse pe piața UE trebuie să fie reciclabile. Clarificările vin într-un moment critic pentru industrie, în care producătorii, convertorii și reciclatori trebuie să-și ajusteze rapid strategiile tehnologice și comerciale.

A group of 16 European organizations from the recycling and materials sectors is calling on the European Commission to introduce a transition period for the new waste shipment rules set to enter into force on May 21, 2026, citing incomplete readiness of the digital system.

Oil rises to 110–115 USD/barrel → feedstock +50–60%
Dow doubles PE increase to +30 cents/lb (~660 USD/ton)
LyondellBasell, INEOS, Borealis declare force majeure
SABIC introduces energy surcharges on engineering plastics
ABS, PMMA, PET and PP see rapid global price increases

Petrolul urcă la 110–115 USD/baril → feedstock +50–60%
Dow dublează creșterea PE la +30 cenți/lb (~660 USD/t)
LyondellBasell, INEOS, Borealis declară force majeure
SABIC introduce surcharge pe materiale tehnice
ABS, PMMA, PET și PP în creșteri accelerate

The International Automotive Recycling Congress (IARC) 2026, starting on March 25 in Hamburg, highlights the growing importance of recycling in the European automotive industry. Bringing together up to 300 industry decision-makers, the event marks a critical step toward circularity, with an increasing focus on plastic materials.

The sharp increase in virgin polymer prices in March 2026 is now directly impacting the recycled materials market. Recyclates are becoming more expensive, while strengthening their strategic role in the supply chain, driven by regulatory pressure and rising production costs.

• The European packaging and recycling industry is calling for recycled material to originate from Europe
• The measure is linked to upcoming mandatory recycled content targets
• The objective is to protect EU recycling capacities

European recyclers signal crisis in plastics sector

Key exhibitions for injection molding technologies

Italy delays Plastic Tax

Key trends shaping the European plastics industry this week

Plant closures and financial pressure hit North American recycling sector amid falling PET bale prices

United Nations has introduced the first comprehensive global trade database covering plastics and related products. The system maps approximately USD 390 billion in annual trade flows and more than 100 million tonnes of plastic materials exchanged worldwide. The tool is expected to significantly influence negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty.

The latest edition of “Plastics – The Fast Facts 2025”, published by PlasticsEurope, confirms a major structural shift in the global plastics industry: Asia now accounts for more than half of global production, while Europe’s share continues to decline.

Italian authorities have published updated guidance on End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for recycled plastics, bringing more clarity on when a material ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material.

MOL Group has completed an ISCC PLUS–certified industrial test, integrating circular feedstock derived from post-consumer plastic waste into a steam cracker at its Tiszaújváros site, enabling the production of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) using a mass balance approach.

A recent investigation suggests that many plastic packages marketed in Europe as “recycled” or “sustainable” actually contain only limited amounts of recycled material. Communication practices and the use of mass-balance mechanisms raise serious questions about transparency and the accuracy of information provided to consumers

The European Commission plans to introduce stricter measures in early 2026 regarding imports of recycled plastics. The initiative aims to clearly distinguish between recycled and virgin materials and could have a direct impact on the European recycled polymers market.

growing number of plastic packaging claims on European supermarket shelves are considered misleading by experts.
Specialists warn about the confusion between recyclable plastics, recycled plastics and so-called chemical recycling.
The lack of clear standards and independent verification increases the risk of greenwashing.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and Envetec Sustainable Solutions have presented a closed-loop recycling model for plastics generated in laboratories and healthcare facilities.
The solution focuses on controlled collection, decontamination and recycling, aiming to reduce incineration of technically recyclable materials.
The case shows that circular economy solutions can work even in sectors with strict safety and traceability requirements.

Uniunea Europeană își consolidează strategia privind ambalajele din plastic, punând un accent tot mai puternic pe conținutul reciclat, design for recycling și responsabilitatea producătorilor pe întreg ciclul de viață al produselor. Direcțiile pentru 2026 indică o trecere de la obiective generale la criterii tehnice și economice concrete.

Polypropylene (PP) containers remain a key segment of the packaging industry, with solid growth forecasts through 2035, supported by demand from food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.

The European Commission is launching a set of pilot measures targeting demand, supply and the regulatory framework of plastics recycling, as a preparatory step ahead of the Circular Economy Act scheduled for 2026.

The European Commission has launched a package aimed at harmonising “end-of-waste” (EoW) criteria for recycled plastics across the EU. The draft is open for public consultation until 26 January 2026, while adoption of the criteria is expected later in 2026.

With an estimated 94% collection rate for beverage packaging, Romania has rapidly reached performance levels comparable to long-established Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) in several EU member states. The key difference is not efficiency, but system maturity and downstream recycling capacity.

România se află din nou sub presiunea Comisiei Europene din cauza întârzierilor semnificative în atingerea țintelor de reciclare a ambalajelor. Deficiențele structurale din sistemul de colectare, lipsa capacităților de reciclare și implementarea neuniformă a responsabilității extinse a producătorului (EPR) riscă să atragă sancțiuni financiare consistente.

Equipment manufacturers are accelerating the development of optical sorting systems designed specifically for contaminated plastic films—one of the most challenging fractions in waste streams. The new solutions promise higher yields and more consistent recyclable output.

The European recycled polypropylene (rPP) market enters 2026 in a difficult environment, characterized by weak Q1 demand, downward price pressure, and intensified competition from virgin material. Value-chain players are adopting cautious strategies and becoming more selective regarding end-use applications.

The European Commission has reaffirmed its priorities for plastics circularity in 2026, focusing on recycled content, market stabilisation and a closer alignment between environmental objectives and industrial competitiveness.

The European plastics industry is calling for clear, harmonised and predictable rules on mandatory recycled content, warning that the lack of a coherent framework could slow investments and destabilise the market.

Despite having an advanced collection and sorting system, Germany is struggling to meet the European Union’s targets for plastic packaging recycling, highlighting structural limitations of the current European model.

Australia’s plastics recycling sector is facing a severe structural crisis, as cheap imports of virgin plastic undermine the competitiveness of recycled materials. Industry representatives warn that without urgent policy intervention, recycling infrastructure risks large-scale closures.

The European Commission has announced its legislative priorities for 2026 regarding the circular economy of plastics. The focus is on strengthening the market for recycled plastics, reducing dependence on virgin plastic, and harmonising rules across EU Member States.

Colgate-Palmolive has introduced 100% recyclable toothpaste tubes, manufactured entirely from HDPE, aiming to simplify recycling streams and significantly reduce packaging waste. The initiative is first rolled out in Brazil, with potential global scaling.

The European Union is moving decisively into the implementation phase of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), a legislative framework set to fundamentally reshape the design, use, and recycling of plastic packaging starting in 2026.

The European Union is preparing to introduce stricter controls on imported plastics in 2026 to help its struggling recycling industry, amid record recycling capacity losses and competitive pressures from low-cost imports of virgin plastics.

UN negotiations on a global plastics treaty ended 2025 without an agreement, as deep divisions persist over plastic production limits and chemical regulation. The absence of a binding global framework is pushing governments and companies toward regional regulations and voluntary industry initiatives.

Italian packaging consortia report increasing difficulties in absorbing recycled materials, amid weak demand and rising stock levels.

European recycling associations warn of severe economic pressure on the plastics recycling sector and call for urgent measures to support demand and protect existing capacities.

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on new rules covering vehicle circularity and the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The framework includes requirements aimed at increasing the use of recycled materials, including recycled plastics, in the automotive sector.

The global recycled thermoplastics market is projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, from around USD 63 billion in 2025 to more than USD 145 billion by 2034. Growth is driven by demand from packaging, automotive and construction, alongside tightening sustainability regulations.

Polyethylene (PE) prices across European markets declined by 40–60 EUR/t, following increased import volumes and softer demand from

Italy’s national packaging consortium, Corepla, recorded an 11% growth in rigid plastic collection in 2025, driven by improved sorting infrastructure and higher consumer participation.

În primele zece luni ale anului 2025, românii au returnat aproximativ 4,5 miliarde de ambalaje prin sistemul SGR, iar RetuRO a predat către reciclatori peste 320.000 de tone de materiale (PET, sticlă, metal). Sistemul se apropie de pragul de 8 miliarde de ambalaje returnate.

UN-led negotiations in Geneva failed to produce an agreement on a global plastics treaty, leaving the world without a coordinated strategy to curb plastic pollution.

ExxonMobil has suspended its European chemical-recycling expansion plans, citing regulatory uncertainty linked to the EU’s upcoming rules on recycled-content calculation and mass-balance methodologies

GreenGroup has completed the upgrade of its Buzău facility, raising its total PET recycling capacity to 180,000 tonnes per year.

Circular Valley Forum 2025 highlights the importance of cross-border and cross-sector collaboration to accelerate circular economy projects, with a significant focus on packaging, plastics, and resource management

The European Commission is preparing a legislative Winter Package that will introduce harmonised End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for selected mechanically recycled plastics, enabling these materials to move freely across the European market as non-waste products.

Budapest introduces a digital collection system for household plastics, enhancing urban recycling traceability.

MOL Group increases its recycling capacity in Hungary with a new PP and PE reprocessing line at Tiszaújváros.

The European Union formally adopts End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for recycled polyethylene (rPE) and polypropylene (rPP), establishing harmonized quality standards across the EU.

Un nou proiect PNRR accelerează extinderea capacităților de reciclare PET, vizând închiderea buclei pentru ambalaje.

🇪🇺 The European Parliament approves tougher rules on packaging and plastic waste management.

♻️ New reduction targets: -10% by 2030, -15% by 2035, and -20% by 2040.

🏭 Producers will have to include minimum recycled content in all plastic packaging.

Global demand for recycled plastics has slowed down in 2025, especially in cost-sensitive sectors, yet analysts project a market value of USD 133 billion by 2035 driven by sustainability targets and stricter circular economy regulations.

Alro Slatina inițiază un parteneriat inovator între industria metalurgică și cea a materialelor plastice pentru a crea un model integrat de valorificare a deșeurilor mixte.

Mercedes-Benz has announced a new family of polypropylene compounds containing up to 50% recycled material, designed for use in structural and interior components of future electric vehicles.

The European Union, through PlasticsEurope and the European Circular Economy Platform, has launched the Circular Plastics Initiative (CPI) — a roadmap aimed at achieving 30% mandatory recycled content in all plastic products by 2030.

Evenimentul “CS Week 2025” aduce în prim-plan arta și designul bazate pe materiale reciclate: plastic, metal, hârtie și textile.

Mercedes-Benz has announced a new family of polypropylene compounds containing up to 50% recycled material, designed for use in structural and interior components of future electric vehicles.

A new industrial partnership strengthens Serbia’s recycling capacity for polypropylene (PP) regranulate, targeting export markets in Central Europe.

Grupul Teraplast Bistrița își extinde linia de reciclare a deșeurilor de PVC rigid, cu o investiție de 8 milioane de euro, finanțată parțial prin PNRR.

Cererea de materiale plastice reciclate (rPP, rPE) crește semnificativ în 2025, potrivit Business Review

Sistemul Garanție-Returnare (SGR) a atins în august 2025 o performanță record – 600 milioane de ambalaje returnate, marcând o etapă-cheie în maturizarea operațională a sistemului.

Proiectul de strategie europeană pentru 2030 introduce ținte obligatorii de conținut reciclat în ambalaje, interdicții treptate pentru materialele nereciclabile și o platformă digitală de trasabilitate a polimerilor.
Documentul marchează cel mai ambițios pas al Uniunii Europene în direcția unui sistem complet circular pentru masele plastice

A new international report shows that European circular economy policies will redefine global demand for recycled plastic materials by 2030.

Eurostat has released new data showing that every EU citizen generated an average of 35.3 kg of plastic packaging waste in 2023 — a steady rise compared to previous years.

România înregistrează o creștere semnificativă a exporturilor de materiale plastice semifabricate, mai ales către Germania, Italia și Polonia.

Coca-Cola’s European operations announced that half of all PET bottles now contain recycled plastic, marking a milestone for the company’s sustainability strategy.

Grupul GreenGroup a inaugurat la Buzău o linie avansată de reciclare pentru materiale plastice tehnice provenite din echipamente electrice. Capacitatea noii instalații depășește 15.000 tone anual.

Sistemul Garanție-Returnare (SGR) din România urmează să includă noi tipuri de ambalaje – precum produse lactate, cosmetice și recipiente metalice speciale – începând cu prima jumătate a anului 2026.

ICIS reports a bearish R-PET market in Europe – weak demand and price declines dominate October 2025.

Administrația Fondului pentru Mediu (AFM) actualizează ghidul pentru investiții în reciclare, vizând accelerarea tranziției industriale verzi.

Producătorii auto din România accelerează tranziția către materiale sustenabile, folosind componente din plastic reciclat în viitoarele modele.

Hungarian recycler ReMat Zrt. is expanding its recycling operations with the support of a €18 million EU Cohesion Fund investment aimed at modernizing washing and regranulation lines and boosting the country’s circular economy capacity.

EEA arată că România reutilizează doar 1,4% din materiale, față de media UE de 12%.

European prices for standard recycled materials (R-PET, R-HDPE, R-PP) continued to fall in October 2025, marking the third consecutive month of decreases as industrial demand remains weak.

Administrația Fondului pentru Mediu (AFM) a aprobat o listă de 26 de proiecte care vor beneficia de finanțare prin PNRR, cu scopul de a crea noi capacități de reciclare pentru deșeuri de ambalaje, inclusiv mase plastice. Bugetul total al apelului depășește 280 mil. lei.

Comisia Europeană aplică amenzi antitrust pentru înțelegere anticoncurențială privind reciclarea vehiculelor la final de viață.

Gigantul energetic Eni cere avize pentru conversia combinatului petrochimic Priolo într-o biorefinărie și un centru de reciclare plastic (tehnologia Hoop).

Stronger control over waste and secondary material imports from non-EU countries.

Italy launches a mandatory digital registry for recycled plastic tracking.

Proiect-pilot pentru extinderea infrastructurii de colectare.

The European Commission will soon publish harmonized End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for PP and PE recyclates.

Doar 1% din poliesterul utilizat în producția globală de textile este reciclat înapoi în fibre textile. Restul ajunge incinerat, la groapa de gunoi sau este transformat în produse inferioare calitativ. Raportul publicat de SGS evidențiază nevoia urgentă de infrastructură, tehnologii chimice performante și design circular pentru a închide bucla de reciclare a poliesterului.

La târgul K 2025 din Düsseldorf, producătorii europeni de echipamente pentru prelucrarea materialelor plastice se arată rezervați față de evoluția pieței, în timp ce companiile asiatice, în special cele chineze și japoneze, mizează pe o revenire în 2026.

Advanced extrusion lines dominate the show, targeting PPWR compliance and efficienc

The European Commission is moving into the final consultation stage for defining End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria applicable to recycled polyolefins — mainly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
This long-awaited regulatory step could reshape the European recycling market by allowing certified recyclates to be officially classified as secondary raw materials, not waste.

Regulamentul european PPWR obligă marile lanțuri de retail să introducă ambalaje reutilizabile și reciclare reală până în 2030.

Noul Regulament european introduce, din 2026, un sistem digital obligatoriu pentru trasabilitatea transporturilor de deșeuri între statele membre.

The European Commission is finalising the proposal for End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for plastics.

Regulation clarifies when recycled materials cease to be classified as waste.

Expected to boost cross-border trade and recyclate certification across the EU.

Publication anticipated within the next few weeks.

Compania Romcarbon instalează o linie complet automatizată de sortare optică în Buzău.

Investiția de 3 milioane EUR vizează creșterea purității fluxului PE/PP reciclat.
Capacitate totală: 12.000 t/an.
Tehnologie furnizată de TOMRA Recycling.

Borealis Integra a finalizat conversia instalației din Elin Pelin, Bulgaria, către producția de rPP premium – 20 kt/an pentru aplicații de ambalaje și automotive.

Conform Clean Recycle, în 2024 firmele din România au achitat peste 10 milioane € către AFM din cauza ambalajelor nereciclate.

The world’s largest trade fair for plastics and rubber – K2025, taking place from 8–15 October 2025 in Düsseldorf – is set to host more than 3,000 exhibitors from over 150 countries, with an estimated 180,000 visitors. Key themes: circular economy, digitalization, and sustainable materials.