"Unless we want to import recycled plastics, EU must support its recyclers" (D. Bonvillain, Veolia)

"With 20 plastics recycling plants closed in Europe over the last two years and a 6% growth rate in 2023 (compared to 16% in 2021), the sector is facing an existential crisis linked to unfair practices in some Asian countries. Since 2022, China has exported highly subsidised virgin plastics worldwide, which has weakened the European plastics recycling sector. One ton of virgin plastic is currently 200 € cheaper, transport and tariffs included, than one ton of European recycled plastics.

We are calling on the European Commission to act, as current anti-dumping measures are not sufficient to limit Chinese imports of virgin plastics and the industry is declining.This concerns industrial sovereignty, employment in Europe and environmental protection. The European Union has defined circularity and recycling objectives, and must now establish the regulatory tools needed to support demand for recycled plastics.The industrial equipment is available and applications in packaging and automotive are ready to be integrated. What is needed is an earlier entry into force of the PPWR directive,…