“We urge policymakers to implement these six strategic actions – ranging from trade defence mechanisms like tariffication of imports to fiscal incentives — to address the deep recession we are experiencing,” said Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. “Plastics recycling must be recognised as an essential sector for the EU –critical both for competitiveness and environmental progress — and it must be protected accordingly.”
Plastics Recyclers Europe demands that the persistent threat of low-cost, unverified imports of both virgin and recycled plastics be addressed urgently, as they distort the market, erode competitiveness and pose a risk to the EU’s circular economy. Global overcapacity in plastic production and rising operational costs within Europe are further exacerbating market distortions. To restore balance and ensure fair competition, robust verification systems, custom codes for recycled polymers, and effective import surveillance mechanisms must be urgently implemented. PRE also calls for targeted subsidies and tax relief measures to mitigate high energy costs and for the streamlining of compliance procedures that currently burden recyclers.
The time for action is now. The EU must protect plastics recycling as a strategic industry, central to sustainable growth and resource independence. Doing so is vital not only for achieving climate goals but also for safeguarding public health, maintaining regulatory standards, and preserving Europe’s industrial leadership in the global transition to a circular economy.
