Plastics Europe

#ChangingPlasticsforGood

Understanding the European Plastics System
The Plastics Transition Roadmap
The Global Plastics Treaty

This roadmap is a cornerstone for Plastics Europe, and it is much more than just a report. It is the cultural change from within the organisation and its members.”

Marco Ten Bruggencate – President of Plastics Europe

Plastics Europe has a vision for a sustainable plastics system.

Our roadmap consists of 3 pillars. Importantly, each is accompanied by illustrative business cases.

Making plastics circular

Plastics producers are developing new approaches relating to the reuse of products, product design, and business models. These approaches include fostering circular business models, further developing mechanical and chemical recycling, and expanding plastic production from biomass and captured carbon. To enable this, circular feedstock must be made available, and the demand and investments for circular solutions must be incentivised.

Making the plastics life cycle net-zero

To successfully pursue the net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) target, levers include increased energy efficiency, the availability of low-carbon fuels, production using low-carbon electricity, and carbon capture & storage. This will require access to low-carbon energy, establishing a level playing field with global competitors, reducing GHG emissions in plastic conversion, and less incineration of plastic waste.

Fostering sustainable use of plastics

Producing and using plastic applications in a way that is safe for human health and the environment is key. Members of Plastics Europe are continually developing new actions, tools, and methodologies to comply with legal obligations and to foster safety and sustainability. They include partnering with value chain partners, safely managing additives, eliminating pellet loss during production, and collaborating to overcome knowledge gaps and prevent leakage.

Read our roadmap

Our members’ innovations

Discover the stories of pioneers reshaping the future of plastics. From sustainability champions to innovators driving circular solutions, explore how their work is transforming the role of plastics for a more sustainable world.

State of the art cameras and cutting-edge robotic sorting systems

High performance materials for car parts through chemical recycling

Rapidly developing food-grade recycling technologies

Turning yoghurt pots back into yoghurt pots again and again

Finding new ways to recycle plastic used in mattress foam

Designing products so they can be recycled

The plastics we produce play a key role in enabling vast renewable energy networks

State of the art cameras and cutting-edge robotic sorting systems
High performance materials for car parts through chemical recycling
Rapidly developing food-grade recycling technologies
Turning yoghurt pots back into yoghurt pots again and again
Finding new ways to recycle plastic used in mattress foam
Designing products so they can be recycled
The plastics we produce play a key role in enabling vast renewable energy networks

The Plastics Transition

For the first time, our industry is united around a hugely ambitious but realistic plan to redesign the European plastics system – the ‘Plastics Transition’ roadmap. It will be our North Star for the years to come and reflects a profound cultural shift that has taken place in our industry.

Learn more

Our members in action

Case studies share the innovations taking place in our industry in areas that span circularity, climate, sustainable use, innovation, and plastics and health.

Publications

In this section you will find a library of Plastics Europe’s publications.