Industry leaders call for fair competition, more demand for recycled plastics and practical rules as global trade and regulations change.
The global plastics recycling industry faces weak demand, high costs and falling profit margins. At the recent Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) World Recycling Convention in Malaga, Spain, industry leaders called for fair competition and practical rules. They also urged governments to create a level playing field for recyclers.
Speaking on 27 October, outgoing BIR Plastics Division President Henk Alssema, CEO of Inviplast (Netherlands), said the sector faced serious challenges again. However, he also saw reasons to remain positive. These included the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its mandatory recycled-content targets.
“Although market conditions differ around the world, the main challenges remain the same: weak demand, high costs and pressure on profit,” Alssema said.
Alssema served in leadership roles within the Plastics Committee and Plastics Division for almost eight years. He warned that recycling companies must remain financially strong for the circular economy to grow. He then handed over the presidency to Max Craipeau, Founder and Director of Greencore Resources, Hong Kong.
New BIR President Calls for Fair Competition
Craipeau thanked Alssema for his work and leadership. He said he would build on his efforts. He also argued that recycled materials should compete on quality and compliance, not their country of origin.
“The threat is not recyclers in other countries. The real threat is low-priced virgin plastic,” he said.
Craipeau said trade defence measures should focus on competition from virgin plastics. He also plans to welcome more BIR members from the electronics and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) sectors into the Plastics Division. These sectors need suitable outlets for their plastic waste.
Global Plastics Treaty Talks Resume
Alev Somer, BIR Trade and Environment Director, said negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty had resumed. This followed the election of a new chair of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC).
She said there was “a true will from the majority of the countries to have a legally binding treaty”.
Earlier talks stalled over disagreements about the treaty’s scope. In particular, countries disagreed on whether it should cover plastic production. Primary polymer-producing countries also raised questions about funding. They sought to exclude certain chemicals and polymers from the treaty.
The INC also faces challenges because it makes decisions by consensus. As a result, small groups of countries can block progress.
Somer said BIR would continue to support four key areas:
- Design products for recycling.
- Set global recycled-content targets.
- Use public procurement to encourage investment in recycling.
- Take a cautious approach to chemical recycling.
During the panel discussion, Pere Soler, COO of Ferromolins (Spain), also stressed the need for better product design. He said design for recycling was important for technical plastics used in electronics and ELVs.
Basel Convention Proposals Raise Concerns
Somer described the Plastics Treaty as a slow-moving process. She also warned that discussions had shifted towards possible changes to the Basel Convention.
Norway has proposed bringing all plastics, including green-listed materials, under the Convention’s rules. The next Conference of the Parties (COP) will discuss this proposal in April 2027.
The proposal could affect green-listed B3011 materials. These include clean, recyclable plastic waste, such as mixtures of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
These materials do not currently require Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedures. However, Norway’s proposal could bring them under the PIC system. This has raised concerns among recycling industry members.
Europe Faces Higher Volumes of Recovered Plastic Waste
Maria Vera-Duran, Policy Director at Recycling Europe, warned about the impact of the EU’s Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR). The regulation will soon prevent exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries.
She said this change would leave more plastic waste within Europe for recycling. However, Europe must create stronger demand for recycled materials. Otherwise, more plastic waste could go to incinerators or landfills.
Europe has introduced recycled-content targets through three regulations: the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), PPWR and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) regulations.
The targets include:
| Regulation | Recycled-content requirement |
|---|---|
| SUPD | 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030 |
| PPWR | 10–35% by 2030 and 25–65% by 2040 |
| ELV regulations | 15% by 2032 and 25% by 2036 |
Vera-Duran also discussed new rules for calculating and checking recycled content under the SUPD. These rules came into effect in June 2026.
Under the rules, companies must recycle plastics within the EU. From 21 November 2027, they may also use an OECD country if its waste management system meets WSR requirements.
Non-OECD countries may also qualify through an alternative route. They must have agreements that ensure safe waste management and treatment standards equal to those in the EU. They must also have a complete national waste management framework. This must include measures such as extended producer responsibility (EPR).
PPWR Recycled-Content Rules Could Face Delays
Vera-Duran warned that the European Commission (EC) might use the SUPD rules for the PPWR and other regulations.
She said the rules that currently apply to plastic bottles could also shape requirements for all plastic packaging sold in the European market.
The EC is preparing a method to calculate and check recycled content under the PPWR. It planned to complete this work by the end of December 2026. However, this deadline now looks unlikely.
“If they don’t finalise this methodology and these rules by the end of the year, the targets might be postponed,” Vera-Duran said.
She called this possibility “very dangerous”. She also warned that the recycling industry could not wait any longer for stronger demand.
India’s PET Recycling System Draws Attention
During the panel discussion, Shubham Lakra, President of Bredlak (France), highlighted India’s recycled-content targets for PET bottles.
India has set a 30% recycled-content target for PET bottles. An online tracking system supports this requirement. Informal waste pickers collect used bottles and take them to collection centres. According to Lakra, this system achieves collection rates of around 95%.
Craipeau and Lakra said hand-sorted bales from India had much better quality than European bales.
Craipeau also works in Indonesia. He said informal collection systems should not lead to lower ratings for recycled materials. He argued that recyclates made with European-approved technologies should not become second-class pellets. They should also remain eligible for the recycled-content targets under the SUPD and PPWR.
The discussions in Malaga highlighted the need for clear standards and stronger demand for recycled plastics. Industry leaders also called for rules that recognise material quality and compliance across different collection systems. They stressed that recycling companies need fair market conditions and practical policies to support the circular economy.