Six EU countries' call to the Commission for measures to support the plastics recycling sector

Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Spain, and the Netherlands urge the European Union to transition to a circular economy, for it is "vital for its strategic autonomy and to ensure a future-proof industry", they declare in a joint statement addressed to the European Commission on 19/11/2025.

They identify several challenges the plastic recycling sector is facing, among which is the export of virgin materials or low-quality recycled plastics from third countries at discounted prices, constituting an unfair global competition in their view.

The Circular Economy Act, a legislative proposal for the sector, is expected in the second half of 2026. Additionally, the six Member States ask for short and medium-term measures, including:

• an agreement on an international, legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution, which was out of reach at the latest UN negotiations in Geneva in August 2025;
• the full implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR);
• the implementation of the Single Use Plastics directive;
• the urgent establishment of ecodesign requirements for…