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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

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

Automotive recycling industry gathers at IARC 2026

Oil volatility begins to reshape polymer market dynamics

Rising demand for anti-block masterbatch in plastic films

European recyclers signal crisis in plastics sector

European circular economy summit announced in Romania

Key exhibitions for injection molding technologies

Deposit return system becomes mandatory in Hungary

Italy delays Plastic Tax

German chemical group BASF is accelerating the development of its ChemCycling program, integrating feedstock derived from chemical recycling into polymer production.

Key trends shaping the European plastics industry this week

The European plastics recycling industry is facing increasing economic pressure. Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) warns that several recycling plants across the EU may be forced to reduce operations or even shut down due to rising costs and global market competition.

The United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union intensify regulations on mandatory minimum recycled content in plastic packaging

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

Fushun Ejet Magnetic Equipment Co., Ltd. has launched a new eddy current separator designed to remove fine aluminum particles from PET flakes. The solution aims to improve rPET purity and reduce processing losses in recycling operations.

European Commission has published an implementing act clarifying the methodology for calculating and reporting recycled content in packaging. The document establishes detailed technical criteria for compliance verification and directly impacts producers, converters, and recyclers across the EU.

The Plastics Recycling Conference 2026, scheduled for February 23–25 in San Diego (USA), brings into focus key industry themes including mandatory recycled content (PCR), chemical recycling, the expansion of EPR systems, and solutions for hard-to-recycle plastic streams.