Policy & Media

Plastics Europe welcomes the publication of a draft Implementing Decision on EU harmonised rules for calculating, verifying and reporting recycled content in single-use plastic beverage bottles. We support in particular the Commission’s explicit recognition of chemical recycling as a complement to mechanical recycling, its support for a credit-based fuel-use exempt mass-balance methodology in existing and new assets, and the intent to bring forward clear and implementable rules.

The plastics industry as vital contributor to Europe’s economy and central facilitator of a low-carbon future faces significant increases in energy costs, further exacerbated by the CO₂ costs embedded in electricity prices. Since 2020, the sector was not eligible any more for a compensation of these indirect costs under State Aid Guidelines. Considering the significant changes in market conditions, CO₂ prices etc., Plastics Europe calls for a reassessment of the eligibility for the plastics sector (NACE 20.16) and precursors (NACE 20.14) in the framework of the State Aid Guidelines.