News item | 23-12-2025 | 17:19
The European Commission today published a package of measures to support the European plastics recycling industry. The package is in line with a call from the Netherlands, with the support of Belgium, France, Spain, Luxembourg and Austria, for the Commission to come up with a support package for European plastic recyclers.
State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport and Environment) is the initiator of the plea to Europe for a support package for plastic recyclers.
He responds: “I am pleased with this response from European Commissioner Roswall to the plea from the Netherlands and fellow member states. This is an important first and much-needed step with which we will jointly tackle the poor economic conditions in the European recycling sector. And that is necessary. If no action is taken now, even more companies will collapse. I therefore look forward to the follow-up process. We must protect our own entrepreneurs and industry. This is about our strategic autonomy: it is better to make new plastic from recycled plastic here, than to be dependent on petroleum or questionable plastic from other countries. Because the future of the Netherlands is a clean and strong economy, built on our own innovative industry.”
Plastic recyclers under pressure
The European plastic recycling industry is under pressure due to, among other things, high energy costs, low and unpredictable prices for new (virgin) plastic and competition from the import of cheap plastics – this often also concerns new plastics that are offered as recycled. Result: economic losses and bankruptcies. That is bad for the competitiveness of the sector, employment, our strategic independence and the environment. Because new plastic made from plastic waste is much better than new plastic made from fossil raw materials.
European Commissioner Jessica Roswall presents a proposal for calculation rules for chemical recycling in the package presented today. This determines how plastic waste that is chemically recycled can count as recycled plastic in new products. The Commission is also presenting a proposal with clear rules on when plastic waste is no longer waste, but a new raw material.
Prevent dumping
Furthermore, the European Commission will also look at what is needed to create a better level playing field, so that anyone who wants to bring plastic to Europe must meet the same conditions as European companies. This is, among other things, to prevent dumping of cheap new plastic on the European market.
The Circular Plastic Alliance will then also be revived. This is a public-private working group with representation from the European Commission, industry and member states. Under the leadership of the Commission, the working group will look for solutions to the problems in the sector. In particular, this working group will focus on strengthening a level playing field, by, among other things, looking at strengthening market surveillance and customs codes.
More measures in Circular Economy Act
Finally, the Commission points to a larger package of measures for the circular economy, the so-called Circular Economy Act, which is expected in the second half of 2026. This package will also look at measures to strengthen the demand for recycled material.
For more information click here.