PlasticsEurope has published its biennial report todayThe Circular Economy for Plastics: A European analysis”, which provides the most recent data and perspectives (2024) on the transition to a circular ecosystem for plastics in Europe, including trends in the production, processing, consumption and international trade of circular plastics, as well as data on waste management.
Alicia martin, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Iberian Region, and Beatriz MeunierThe communications director explained to the press the main data from the fourth edition of this report.
“Circularity is no longer just an environmental issue, but also a strategic objective,” said Alicia Martín.
Circular plastics production reached 8,7 million tons (Mt), a sharp slowdown since 2022. For the first time, the circular plastics content rate in new products exceeded 15% (7,9 Mt in 2024). 19% of the circular plastics used in processing are imported (25% of fossil-based plastics). Exports of sorted plastic waste increased by 36,5% since 2022, reaching 1,5 Mt. The recycling rate reached 29,6% (9,7 Mt). More than 70% of plastic waste ended up in incineration or landfill.
Annual growth in circular production in Europe has slowed sharply, from 13,6% in 2022 to just 1,2% in 2024. In contrast, annual growth in global circular plastics production has accelerated from 5% to 7,7%.
To top it off, European demand for circular plastics is also losing steam, falling from 16,2% annual growth in 2022 to 4% in 2024.
Total European plastic production decreased (-6,8% compared to 2022). There was a sharp drop in the production of fossil-based plastics (-8,3% compared to 2022). Regarding circular plastics production, the annual growth rate fell from 13,6% between 20218 and 2022 to just 1,2% in the 2022-2024 period. In contrast, the annual growth rate of global circular plastics production accelerated from 5% to 7,7%.
Europe continues to hold the largest share of circular plastics in its production. While the share of circular plastics in global production is 9,6%, the share of circular plastics in European production is 15,8%. “Europe remains the world leader in terms of circular plastics share, but this leadership is linked to a decline in the production of bio-based plastics, which has fallen by 8,3% compared to 2022,” explains Alicia Martín.
European demand for circular plastics processors is also losing momentum. Furthermore, there is a heavy reliance on external sources for the circular transition of plastics: 19% of the circular plastics used in processing depend on imports, which do not always meet EU requirements, and 25% of the fossil-based plastics used in processing depend on imports.
The data for our country also reveal a slowdown in the growth of circular plastics production (going from +12.8% annually between 2018 and 2022 to just +7.2% annually between 2022 and 2024) and a sharp halt in the use of circular plastics, which went from an annual growth of +35% between 2018 and 2022 to zero evolution between 2022 and 2024.
Plastic waste management
“In 2024, exports of plastic waste have increased from 1,1 million tons in 2022 to 1,5 million tons in 2024, a rise of 36,5%,” explained Beatriz Meunier. 12,2% of the sorted waste was exported for recycling.
More than 70% of the plastic waste collected continued to be sent to incineration and landfill (23 Mt).
The circular transition is also slowing down in Spain, with a slight decrease in the recycled content rate (21,4%), although it is still well above the European average (15,8%).
The report confirms our country's leading position in recycling rates. With a recycling rate of 42,5% for all plastic waste, Spain tops the European ranking, ahead of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and significantly above the EU27+3 average (29,6%).
“Spain is a leader in recycling rates, but we have a very high level of landfill waste,” Meunier stated. Our country ranks in the top 5 for packaging waste management.
The figures reveal that more than 35% of plastic waste still ends up in landfills, a rate well above the European average (21,5%).
Conclusions
Circularity in Europe is losing momentum. “The loss of competitiveness is hindering the circularity of plastics in Europe,” stated Alicia Martín. Decisive political support is needed to create a thriving circular plastics ecosystem that will underpin the next generation of industries in Europe and ensure their resilience and economic security.
“It is necessary to restore competitiveness and unlock investment in circular plastics,” added Martín, which can be done by promoting concrete and immediate measures: addressing the energy cost and emissions crisis in Europe, ensuring fair trade and a level playing field, fostering strong demand for circular plastics through market attraction measures, and leveraging the economic power of a harmonized single market.
“Today more than ever, circularity must be a lever and a strategic engine,” concluded Alicia Martín.
Statements from Rob Ingram and Virginia Janssens
Rob IngramThe president of Plastics Europe and CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe stated: “It is deeply concerning that, just when Europe should be accelerating the transition to a circular economy, we are seeing a sharp slowdown. As a result of high energy and raw material prices, emissions costs, and a lack of fair trade, European plastics producers are operating in survival mode. Our value chain is unable to make the necessary investments in circularity; instead, we are witnessing the decarbonization of Europe through deindustrialization. Unless this damaging trend is reversed, Europe will be unable to meet its climate ambitions.”
In statements of Virginia Janssen, Director General of Plastics Europe: “If we continue to export valuable sorted waste and import recycled materials, we undermine both our industrial base and our climate ambitions. We must create the business case for circular plastics in Europe, making it economically attractive to conserve and recycle our plastic waste. Supportive and appropriate legislation for this purpose is a key factor.”
