The circular economy for plastic packaging is currently under massive pressure, mainly due to cheap, non-EU-compliant recyclates from third countries, resulting in the closure of a growing number of European recycling companies due to a lack of profitability. This dramatic trend is foreseen to continue through 2025.
In a joint letter, Alpla, Remondis, Werner & Merzand the European Sustainable Business Federation â ECOPRENEUR.EU, make a constructive contribution to the discussion on the import of recycled materials from third countries by describing the challenges and consequences while suggesting concrete solutions to improve the situation.
âWe welcome the intention of the European Commission to develop a European Circular Economy Act to create a well-functioning internal market for recycled raw materials, in line with the objectives of decarbonising Europe and addressing strategic vulnerabilities by improving the resilience of supply chains.â
Speaking on behalf of the alliance, Reinhard Schneider, CEO of Werner & Mertz: âThis market can only function if all countries inside and outside the European Union play by the same rules on a level playing field where imports of recycled plastics from third countries are subject to the standards and requirements of the EU. However, we will only be able to invest in the further technological development of mechanical recycling and sufficient infrastructure in Europe to achieve the minimum utilisation rates for plastic recyclates from 2030 if the import of cheap, potentially non-EU-compliant recyclates from third countries is effectively and consistently restricted.â
