Plastics Europe maintains call for ambitious recycling targets following plenary vote on amendments to End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation

Virginia Janssens, Managing Director at Plastics Europe, said: 

"Ambitious targets are essential to the survival and transition of the plastics industry in Europe, as well as that of the strategic sectors that rely on plastics, such as the automotive industry, as they boost demand for low carbon and circular products and ensure the predictability needed for sustainable investments.

European Parliament's support for a 20% recycled target in new vehicles is a step forward. However, a 25% target, as proposed by the Commission, will ensure that the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR) can foster a scalable, circular and competitive plastics industry in Europe. We urge negotiators to raise their ambition during the upcoming trialogues.

We remain concerned by the possible exclusion of bio-based plastics from the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation targets. This would be a missed opportunity. Today, plastics from biomass make up just 1% of material use by converters¹, largely due to high costs and weak policy support. A future-proof target must include plastics from sustainable sources like bio-based feedstocks. However, to prioritise recycling, we recommend limiting the contribution of bio-based and carbon capture-based plastics to no more than 5% of the overall target; a balanced approach we hope to see reflected in the final legislation.

A 25% target in the ELVR will help create sufficient market pull essential for a thriving circular economy for plastics. In addition to targets, a broader EU policy framework is urgently needed to restore a trustworthy investment climate in Europe for circular plastics and boost the overall competitiveness of the plastics eco-system. Such a framework includes lowered energy costs, timely legal acceptance of innovative recycling methods, simplified permitting procedures for low-carbon circular industrial installations, and third party certification schemes for enforcement at our EU borders.

It is critical that EU and Member State legislators now take this closing window of opportunity with both hands to help drive investment and ensure that Europe regains its leadership in sustainable mobility and materials."

Notes for Editors

Plastics Europe is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers with offices across Europe. For over 100 years, science and innovation have been the DNA that cuts across our industry. With members producing over 90% of all polymers across EU27+3 (Norway, Switzerland, UK) we are the catalyst for the industry with a responsibility to openly engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions which are safe, circular and sustainable. We are committed to implementing long-lasting positive change.

1 - According to Circular Economy for Plastics - A European Analysis 2024.

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