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In the plastics manufacturing industry, at least 50% of total costs are materials—primarily plastic resins—while the remainder is allocated across labor and other operating expenses. According to PLASTICS’ 2025 Size and Impact Report, materials accounted for 66.6% of shipments, annual payroll represented 12.7%, and the remaining 20.7% reflected other operating costs.

European citizens show high levels of concern about extreme heat and other consequences of climate change, while many remain insufficiently prepared to cope with these impacts in their daily lives. This is the central finding of a recent Europe-wide survey analysing public perceptions of climate risks and adaptation measures.

A carbon footprint assessment commissioned by the British Metals Recycling Association indicates that operational greenhouse gas emissions from the UK metals recycling sector could be reduced by up to 93 per cent by 2050.

The UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging, introduced in October 2025, is designed to make producers financially and operationally responsible for the packaging they place on the market and its end-of-life management.

The outline conference programme for the Plastics Recycling Show Europe 2026 has been released ahead of the event, which will take place on 5 and 6 May 2026 at the RAI Amsterdam.

Registration has opened for the 2026 editions of E-Waste World, Battery Recycling, Metal Recycling, and ITAD & Circular Electronics Expo, which will again take place as co-located events organised by Trans-World Events. The four trade fairs will be held on 17 and 18 June 2026 at Messe Frankfurt, Germany.

PAC2PAC by Bachmann Group describes a closed-loop recycling concept for PET packaging that addresses the ongoing loss of recyclable plastics to thermal treatment. Large quantities of plastic packaging are still not recycled, despite the material value they contain. PET packaging is particularly suitable for circular applications due to its low weight, processing efficiency, recyclability and approval for food contact, as well as its role in extending product shelf life.

Plastics Recyclers Europe has published the first Europe-wide mapping of plastics recycling technologies. The report provides a data-based overview of the current status of plastics recycling in Europe, identifying existing technological capacities as well as structural and technical gaps. It is intended as a reference for stakeholders along the plastics value chain, including recyclers, converters, brand owners and policymakers, and supports evidence-based decision-making.

Aimplas has launched the POLY-ML project, an R&D initiative that applies machine learning methods to predict the properties of plastic materials based on their formulation and processing parameters.

The Polystyrene Recycling Alliance and R3vira have entered into a collaboration aimed at expanding polystyrene recycling infrastructure in Mexico City. The cooperation links a North American industry coalition focused on scalable recycling solutions for polystyrene and expanded polystyrene with a locally based organization operating community-oriented collection systems in one of the largest urban regions in the Americas.

European recycling companies support the introduction of a European Preference that places materials produced within the European Union at the centre of industrial and economic policy, while maintaining open and well-functioning markets for recycled materials.

The European Union is facing growing risks in the supply of raw materials necessary for the expansion of renewable energies and the implementation of climate and energy targets. This is the conclusion of a recent report by the European Court of Auditors.