The European plastics industry increased its use of post-consumer recycled materials in its products by 20% last year to a level of 10%. I want stronger policies from the government.
The head of industry body Plastics Europe made this claim at a press conference at K 2022 on 20 October.
The group called chemical recycling an important means to make plastics more circular and emphasized that it hopes to enact specific laws to support chemical recycling to encourage investment.
“We have had major investment announcements in Europe and globally, and we need to confirm that recognition. [of chemical recycling] The legislation at European level ensures investor security yesterday,” said Virginia Jansen, Managing Director of Plastics Europe. … you need that effective framework to migrate faster. “
As part of this, the group said a regulatory system that accepts mass balance standards, a system that measures recycled or renewable components within fossil fuel-based raw materials, is important for chemical recycling.
Janssens also said the expansion of traditional mechanical recycling is important.
A report from a Brussels-based industry association found that plastic products in Europe will contain 10.1% recycled material in 2021, equivalent to about 5.5 million tonnes, a 20% increase from the previous year. increase. This figure includes recycled content plastics used in all European markets, including packaging, as well as durable goods such as housing, construction and automobiles.
According to the report, bio-based plastics will account for 2.3% of Europe’s plastic production in 2021, meaning that 12.4% of total European plastic production will be non-fossil fuel-based.
In a news release, the group endorsed the EU’s “ambitious target” to have 20% of the continent’s plastics derived from non-fossil carbon by 2030. In 2021, 9.8% of that he was from non-fossil-based sources.
