Plastics Europe

Climate

Plastics Europe acknowledges that climate protection is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our society. We also consider that reducing greenhouse gas emissions of all origins should be one of our industry’s key priorities to ensure a sustainable future for the next generations, in addition to ensuring prosperity, jobs and competitiveness of the European economy.

We, therefore, support the EU’s ambition to become climate-neutral by 2050, contributing to the global climate objectives of the Paris Agreement. Within our responsibilities and competencies, we will work towards this common ambition, which will require new technologies and an enabling policy framework. Our members will collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to find and implement adequate solutions aimed at helping the EU reach this objective.

The greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of European plastics production, from raw material extraction to resin production, can be currently estimated at max 140 Mt CO2 eq., i.e. ca 3% of the total GHG European emissions (EU-27 + UK). To accelerate the transition to EU’s climate neutrality by 2050, next to enhancing energy and resource efficiency, the plastics industry is already stepping up its efforts to further reduce GHG emissions in the production phase.

Many of our member companies have already committed to climate targets on their journeys to net zero, further demonstrating the industry’s commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change.

2 min read

100% recyclable wind turbine blades

Today, 90% of the world’s trade in goods is carried out by maritime transport, which accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This environmental footprint is expected to increase to 17% by 2050. The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) objective is to reduce the sector’s GHG emissions by 50% compared to 2008 by 2050.
2 min read

An XXL sail to tow cargo ships

Today, 90% of the world’s trade in goods is carried out by maritime transport, which accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This environmental footprint is expected to increase to 17% by 2050. The IMO (International Maritime Organisation) objective is to reduce the sector’s GHG emissions by 50% compared to 2008 by 2050.
2 min read

Little Sun, the little solar lamp all grown up

In an article published in 2013 under the title “Sunshine and plastics: bright ideas for a better world”, we talked about Little Sun, a small sun-shaped solar-powered lamp designed by two Scandinavians, artist Olafur Eliasson and engineer Frederik Ottesen, which was intended for people living without electricity in Ethiopia.
2 min read

AeroSHARK, a “shark skin” to cover aircraft

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has decided to coat the 12 Boeing 777s in its fleet with a polymer adhesive film. This new surface technology will reduce the fuel consumption of the sub-fleet by more than 1% while significantly reducing CO₂ emissions.
6 min read

Global warming: plastics cool things down

Tackling global warming is the challenge that humanity must take on as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting out of hand. It is no longer time for debate; it is time for action. Fortunately, solutions, some of which are based on the properties of polymers, are emerging.
6 min read

Green energy powered by polymers

Last July, the European Commission proposed raising the renewable energy target to 40% by 2030. It called for the further development of green energy sources such as wind, water and solar power. Many companies are working on this and often rely on polymer technologies to achieve their goals.