2024 Data Reveals a Deepening Crisis of the European plastics recycling industry
Europe’s plastics recycling industry is entering its sharpest decline — with turnover down 5.5% — putting at risk Europe’s circular economy, industrial resilience and thousands of local jobs. The latest annual report1 shows the largest capacity contraction ever recorded. Preliminary 2025 data reveal a 50% rise in recycling facility closures, resulting in the loss of nearly one million tonnes of European recycling capacity over just three years.
“Now is the time to stand united for the sector — not only to protect jobs and businesses at risk, but to safeguard Europe’s environmental and technological progress, ensuring a sustainable future for all,” stated Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. "We call on the EU institutions and national policymakers to act decisively and implement supportive measures to preserve the sector and Europe's circular economy."
With a total installed capacity of 13.5 million tonnes in 2024, plastics recycling in Europe remains well below the 6% annual growth required to achieve the PPWR targets. The sector is facing growing pressure from high production and energy costs, falling demand, and increasing volumes of low-priced, unregulated imports from outside the region. Polyolefin films and PET are most severely affected, each accounting for 25% of total closures in 2023-2024.
The data highlights issues that threaten the long-term viability of plastics recycling within Europe. We urge EU institutions and Member States to take coordinated action immediately. Priority actions include establishing fair and enforced market regulations, implementing stronger controls on imports, cutting energy costs and harmonising reporting requirements via third-party certification across the region2.
1 Plastics Recycling Industry Figures 2024
2 More details on proposed actions can be found here: Strategic Recommendations for a Resilient and Circular Plastic Value Chain in Europe
ABOUT US
Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) is an organisation representing the voice of European plastics recyclers, who reprocess plastic waste into high-quality material destined for the production of new articles. Recyclers are important facilitators of the circularity of plastics and the transition towards the circular economy. The plastics recycling industry in Europe represents over €8.6 billion in turnover, 13.5 million tonnes of installed recycling capacity, around 850 recycling facilities, and around 30.000 employees.