Plastics the facts 2022

Plastics –
the Facts 2022
OCTOBER 2022

Plastics - the Facts is an analysis of the latest data
related to plastics production, demand, conversion
and waste management in Europe. It also provides
information on key figures of the European plastics
industry. In short, this report gives an insight into the
industry’s contribution to European society.
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PLASTICS - THE FACTS 2022 | OCTOBER 2022

Contribution to European society
World plastics data
European plastics data
End-of-life management in EU27+3
End-of-life management in selected countries
Outlook
List of Acronyms
10
14
24
43
57
75
79
Table of content
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Foreword
Welcome to the 2022 edition of
“Plastics - the Facts”!
This year’s data confirms that after
a turbulent period, global plastics
manufacturing is bouncing back.
In 2021 global production rose 4%
to more than 390 million tonnes
demonstrating the strong and
continuing demand for plastics.
However, in Europe in particular,
there are challenges ahead. Our
latest data show that China’s
share of global plastics production
continues to grow (reaching 32%
in 2021) while Europe’s share –
which reached 57.2 million tonnes
in 2021 – continues to decline
(hitting 15%). This confirms a loss
of competitiveness that could be
exacerbated further by energy
and logistics crises resulting from
the war in Ukraine and the ongoing
COVID pandemic.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director Plastics Europe
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The European plastics manufacturing industry
is in transition. Every week I witness our member
companies investing huge amounts of capex,
time, energy, imagination, and expertise to
meet our 2050 net zero and circularity targets
sustainably. Our members are undertaking huge
investments and a far-reaching reorganisation of
their production and technology base. In so doing
they are seeking ways to solve issues like plastics
waste and climate change, while continuing to
offer its various value chains, consumers and
society the many benefits that plastics offer.
At Plastics Europe we are evolving too. Every day,
we strive to be the catalyst for the industry to
contribute to the goals of international climate
agreements such as the COP and the EU’s Green
Deal.
To support this effort, an independent report,
commissioned by Plastics Europe and called
“Reshaping Plastics: pathways to a circular,
climate neutral plastics system in Europe”, was
published in April this year. A living roadmap is
now also being developed by Plastics Europe and
its members, setting out concrete milestones,
actions and KPIs to track progress on our
transformation journey, also enhancing value
chain collaboration.
To help monitor progress we need more reliable
and comprehensive data. In this edition of
“Plastics - the Facts” we have therefore included
production and demand data for biobased, bio-
attributed and post-consumer recycled plastics
for the first time.
Plastics Europe recognizes that to transition to net
zero by 2050, faster systemic change and more
intense and effective collaboration between all
parts of the European plastics’ system and policy
makers are essential. We also need a new and
enabling policy framework that better incentivises
investment and innovation by fostering a climate
of creative competition in a circular economy for
plastics.
I am very proud of the progress that we have
made as an industry over the past year and
look forward to deepen collaboration with all
stakeholders to keep the European industry
globally competitive as the EU transitions to net
zero and circularity.
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Notice to the reader
The 2022 Plastics – the Facts edition presents 2021
data for plastics production, demand, conversion
and some 2020 European and national end-of-life
management figures.
A more exhaustive analysis of plastics progress
towards circularity in Europe is available in the
“The Circular Economy of Plastics – A European
Overview” report.
The data presented in this report was collected by
Plastics Europe (the pan-European association of
plastics manufacturers) and EPRO (the European
Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery
Organisations). Plastics Europe’s members,
gathered in the Plastics Europe’s Market Research
Group (PEMRG), provided input on the plastics
demand by converters. Conversio Market &
Strategy GmbH helped assess plastics production
and conversion, waste collection and treatment
data. Official statistics from European or national
authorities and waste management organisations
have been used, where available. Research or
expertise from consultants completed gaps.
Figures cannot always be directly compared
with those of previous years due to changes in
estimates.
All figures and graphs in this report show data
for EU27 plus Norway, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, which is referred to as Europe for the
purposes of abbreviation – other country groups
are explicitly listed.
Data presented in this report cover thermoplastics
and thermosets. As for the previous Plastics - the
Facts editions, polymers used for textiles, paints,
varnishes, textiles waterproofing, or within the
production of cosmetics, medicines or chemical
processes are not included in the scope of the
data. PVC-, PO- and PU-fibers are included,
wheras PA-fibers, PET-, PBT-, or Acryclic polyesters
are not included.
Data presented in this report are rounded
estimations (except Eurostat data)
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New data and definitions
With the view of generating data that can help to
address today’s sustainability challenges, and to
ensure comparability and coherence with other
reports and studies, Plastics Europe has reviewed
some concepts’ definitions and the scope of its
datasets.
For this edition of Plastics – the Facts, new figures
and graphs were developed for the global and
European plastics production*. As from 2021
data, production figures will be shown by type
of feedstock : i.e. fossil-based, post-consumer
recycled or bio-based/bio-attributed plastics
production.
For 2021, data on post-consumer recycled plastics
use by converters has also been added.
Polymers that are not used in the conversion
of plastics parts and products (i.e quantities
used for adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints,
varnishes, textiles waterproofind, or within the
production of cosmetics, medicines or chemical
processes) are now excluded from the scope of
the production, demand, conversion and end-of-
life management data.
Those changes explain data differences with the
previous editions of Plastics – the Facts.
For a more exhaustive analysis of
plastics progress towards circularity,
please consult Plastics Europe’s report
The Circular Economy of Plastics –
A European Overview.
*Including plastics production from polymerisation and production of mechanically
recycled plastics
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The Circularity
of Plastics
The circular and climate neutral plastics
economy is a system in which plastics are
produced, converted, used and managed in
a sustainable way.
5.5Mt
post-consumer recycled
plastics were used in new
products and parts in the
EU27+3 in 2021, representing
about 10% recycled content
rate in plastics conversion,
and an increase of about
20% compared to 2018.
Today, most plastics are still produced from
fossil-based feedstock. Transitioning to a circular,
climate neutral economy demands investment
and innovation from the plastics value chain to
develop new business models for reuse, produce
more recycled plastics and new feedstocks that are
less dependent on fossil-based oil and gas. Plastics
Europe continues working towards improving
knowledge and data on plastics circularity.
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1. Does not include elastomers, adhesives, coatings and sealants. 2. Pre-consumer plastics waste is mainly originating from the plastics conversion and from plastics production
(polymerisation) to a lesser extend. 3. Compounding of recycled plastics and plastics from polymerisation may occur prior conversion. 4. Includes chemical recycling.
5. Process losses are usually sent to energy recovery or landfill. Parts of plastics residues could be a potential future source of chemical recycling.
PROCESS
LOSSES5
PRODUCTS
IN USE
(<1 to >50 years)
RE-USE
& REPAIR
WASTE
collection & sorting
LANDFILL
ENERGY
recovery
EXPORT
SURPLUS
CONSUMPTION
(private and industrial
end-users)
Sent for
RECYCLING
CONVERSION3
to plastic parts and products
POST-CONSUMER
RECYCLED PLASTICS
output
1
Concept explained on page 17
Import/
Export
PRE-CONSUMER
RECYCLED PLASTICS2
output
CIRCULAR
FEEDSTOCKS
1
PLASTICS1
production
(polymerisation)
Import/
Export
Import/
Export
Bio-based feedstock
Carbon-captured feedstock
Fossil feedstock
Chemically recycled feedstock
Input into EU
RECYCLING PLANTS4
(post-consumer)
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Contribution
to European
society
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“An industry employing
more than 1.5 million
people across the
European Union ”
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The European plastics
industry: key figures
The European plastics industry includes
plastics manufacturers, converters, recyclers
and machinery manufacturers.
>1.5million
employment*
In 2021, the plastics industry gave direct
employment to more than 1.5 million people
in the European Union, a small increase
compared to 2020.
52,000
companies*
An industry with over 52,000 companies,
most of them SME’s, distributed across the
European Union.
*
2021 Plastics Europe estimations – Eurostat official data only available until 2019
.
400billion €
turnover*
The European plastics industry (EU27) had a
turnover of approximately 405 billion euros
in 2021.
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10Mt
sent to recycling
More than 10 millions tonnes of post-
consumer plastics waste were sent to
recycling in 2020 in the EU27+3.
8th
ranking
value-added
The European plastics industry (EU27) ranks 8th
in Europe in industrial value-added contribution**
,
positioned after the manufacturing of electrical
equipment.
14.4billion €
trade balance
The European plastics industry (EU27) had a
positive trade balance of 14.4 billion euros in
2021.
* 2021 Plastics Europe estimations – Eurostat official data only available until 2019.
** Measured by value added at factor cost, 2019.
~5.5Mt
post-consumer
recycled plastics
In 2021, about 5.5 million tonnes of
post-consumer recycled plastics were
reintroduced in the EU27+3 economy, an
increase of about 20% compared to 2018.
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World
plastics data
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“Global plastics
production bouncing
back in 2021 after a
turbulent period ”
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World plastics
production*
evolution
After a stagnation in 2020 due
to the Covid-19 pandemic,
the global plastics production
increased to 390.7 million tonnes
in 2021.
Sources: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH and nova-Institute
The above data are rounded estimations
*Including plastics production from polymerisation and production of mechanically recycled plastics
Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles, adhesives, sealants, coatings, etc.) are not included
1. Includes fossil-based thermoplastics, thermosets and PUR
2. Data on post-consumer recycled plastics had been developed in 2018, data for other years are estimations
3. Including bio-attributed plastics in 2021 data. Source: nova-Institute 2022; data for bio-based structural polymers, preliminary estimations
Fossil-based plastics1
Bio-based plastics (including bio-
attributed plastics in 2021 data)3
Post-consumer recycled plastics2
in million tonnes
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
332
340.3 340
352.3
30 30.8 31.6 32.5
5.9
3.9
3.7
3.5
2018 2019 2020 2021
365.5 Mt 374.8 Mt 375.5 Mt 390.7 Mt
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For the first time, Plastics - the Facts presents World plastics
production data excluding polymers that are not used in the
conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for adhesives,
sealants, coatings, paints, varnishes, or within the production
of cosmetics, medicines or chemical processes). Post-
consumer recycled and bio-based/bio-attributed plastics
production quantities are included for the first time.
As in previous editions, quantities used for textiles or
textiles waterproofing, are excluded. The scope includes
thermoplastics and thermosets.
390.7Mt
global plastics production*
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World plastics
production*
in 2021
In 2021, 90.2% of the World
plastics production was fossil-
based. Post-consumer recycled
plastics and bio-based/bio-
attributed plastics respectively
accounted for 8.3% and 1.5% of
the World plastics production.
1. nova-Institute 2022; data for bio-based structural polymers, preliminary estimations for 2021
Fossil-based
plastics
Bio-based/bio-
attributed plastics1
Post-consumer
recycled plastics
in 2021
90.2%
8.3%
1.5%
390.7Mt
in 2021
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19 PLASTICS EUROPE

Distribution of the global
plastics production*

In 2021, China reached almost
one third of the World’s plastics
production.
390.7Mt
global plastics production in 2021
**Only thermoplastics and PUR
1. Canada, Mexico and the United States
2. Commonwealth of Independent States: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine
China
29% - 32%
North America1
18% - 18%
Rest of Asia
17% - 17%
EU27+3
19% - 15%
Middle East, Africa
7% - 8%
Latin America
4% - 4%
CIS2
2% - 3%
Japan
4% - 3%
2017**
2021
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plastics production*
by type
In 2021, circular plastics
represented about 9.8% of the
World plastics production.
PUR
5.5%
Fossil-based
thermosets
(excl. PUR)
7.1%
Recycled
plastics
8.3%
Bio-based/
bio-attributed
plastics
PE-LD, -LLD
14.4%
PE-HD, -MD
12.5%
PP
19.3%
PVC
12.9%
PS, PS-E
5.3%
PET
6.2%
Other
fossil-based
thermoplastics1
7.1%
1.5%
Fossil-base
d
Circular
1. Includes PBT, PEEK, PEI, POM, PPA, PSU/PES/PPSU, PTFE, PVDF and other thermoplastics not listed separately
21 PLASTICS EUROPE

plastics use by application
In 2021, packaging and building
construction applications were the
two largest World plastics markets.
Sources: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH
*Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles, adhesives, sealants, coatings, etc.) are not included
Electrical
Electronics
7%
Agriculture,
Farming and
Gardening
4%
Household,
Leisure Sports
7% Packaging
44%
Automotive
8%
Building
Construction
18%
Others
12%
390.7 Mt
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23 PLASTICS EUROPE

European
plastics data
24 PLASTICS EUROPE

“The European plastics
industry is in transition
to meet its 2050 net zero
and circularity targets”
25 PLASTICS EUROPE

European plastics
production*
evolution
After a decrease in 2020 due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, the
European production increased
to 57.2 million tonnes in 2021.
Sources: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH, nova-Institute, Polyglobe database by Kunststoff Information Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Eurostat (European Statistical Office)
2018-2020 production quantities have been calculated based on the development of Eurostat production indices
1. Includes fossil-based thermoplastics, thermosets and PUR used for plastic parts and products
2. Data on recycled plastics in the EU27+ 3 had been developed in 2018 and 2020, data for other years are estimations
3. Including bio-attributed plastics in 2021 data. Source: nova-Institute 2022; data for bio-based structural polymers, preliminary estimations
2018 2019 2020 2021
52.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
4.9 5.2 5.5 5.8
0.8 0.9 0.9 1.3
50.1 47.5 50.1
58.1 Mt 56.2 Mt 53.9 Mt 57.2 Mt
in million tonnes
Fossil-based plastics1
Bio-based plastics (including bio-
attributed plastics in 2021 data)3
Post-consumer recycled plastics2
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*Including plastics production from polymerisation and mechanical recycling output
For the first time, Plastics - the Facts presents European
plastics production data excluding polymers that are not
used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e.
for adhesives, sealants, coatings, paints, varnishes, textiles
waterproofing, or within the production of cosmetics,
medicines or chemical processes). Post-consumer recycled
and bio-based/bio-attributed plastics production quantities
are included for the first time.
As in previous editions, quantities used for textiles or
textiles waterproofing are excluded. The scope includes
thermoplastics and thermosets.
57.2Mt
global plastics production*
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European plastics
production*
in 2021
In 2021, European plastics
production reached 57.2 Mt.
Post-consumer recycled plastics
and bio-based/bio-attributed
plastics respectively accounted
for 10.1% and 2.3% of the
European plastics production.
1. nova-Institute 2022; data for bio-based structural polymers, preliminary estimations for 2021
87.6%
10.1%
2.3%
57.2Mt
in 2021
Fossil-based
plastics
Bio-based/bio-
attributed plastics1
Post-consumer
recycled plastics
28 PLASTICS EUROPE

In 2021, circular plastics
represented about 12.4% of the
European plastics production.
European plastics production*
by type
PUR
5.5%
Recycled
plastics
10.1%
Bio-based/
bio-attributed
plastics
PE-LD, -LLD
14.7%
PE-HD, -MD
9.3%
PP
16.6%
PS, PS-E
6.1%
PVC
11.4%
PET
5.3%
Other
fossil-based
thermoplastics1
12.1%
Fossil-ba
s
e
d
Circular
2.3 %
Fossil-based
thermosets
(excl. PUR)
6.6%
Sources: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH, nova-Institute, Polyglobe database by Kunststoff Information Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Eurostat (European Statistical Office)
1. Includes PBT, PEEK, PEI, POM, PPA, PSU/PES/PPSU, PTFE, PVDF and other thermoplastics not listed separately
57.2Mt
European plastics
production*
in 2021
29 PLASTICS EUROPE

Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on the input of the Plastics Europe
Market Research Group (PEMRG)
50.3Mt
European plastics converters
demand
Plastics - the Facts’ European plastics converters demand
data excludes polymers that are not used in the conversion
of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles, adhesives,
sealants, coatings, paints, varnishes, textiles waterproofing,
or within the production of cosmetics, medicines or
chemical processes). European converters demand data in
Plastics - the Facts do not include recycled and bio-based/
bio-attributed plastics due to limited data availability. The
scope includes thermoplastics and thermosets.
Demand data are built on estimations of quantities bought
by European converters, including imports.
30 PLASTICS EUROPE

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Mt
Rom
ania
Hungary
Sweden
Portugal
Austria
Czech
Republic
The
Netherlands
Belgium
/Lux.
United
Kingdom
Poland
Spain
France
Italy
Germ
any
23.2%
14.3%
9.4%
7.5% 7.5% 6.9%
4.5%
4.2%
2.8%
2.1% 2% 1.9% 1.7% 1.7%
Countries with more than 3 Mt
plastics converters demand
demand by countries
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on the input of the Plastics Europe
Market Research Group (PEMRG)
Demand for recycled plastics and bio-based/bio-attributed plastics is not included. Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles, adhesives,
sealants, coatings, etc.) are not included
50.3Mt
European plastics
converters demand
in 2021
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Denm
ark
Finland
Slovakia
Bulgaria
Lithuania
Ireland
Slovenia
Norway
Croatia
Latvia
Estonia
Cyprus/Malta
Greece
Switzerland
1.4% 1.3% 1.1% 1.1%
Countries with less than 0.5 Mt
plastics converters demand
2021
2020
demand by countries
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on the input of the Plastics Europe Market Research Group (PEMRG)
50.3Mt
European plastics
converters demand
in 2021
32 PLASTICS EUROPE

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
50
60
47,8
49
49,9
51,2 51,5 50,9
48,9
50,3
Mt
In 2021, converters plastics
demand increased for the
first time after two years of
decrease.
Evolution of the plastics converters
demand (EU27+3)
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on interviews with converters
The above data are rounded estimations.
Demand data are built on estimations of quantities bought by European converters, including imports.
33 PLASTICS EUROPE

European plastics converters demand
by polymer type
Demand for recycled plastics and bio-based/bio-attributed plastics is not included
Plastics - the Facts figures on PA only cover PA6 and PA66
0
2
4
6
8
10
O
t
h
e
r
t
h
e
r
m
o
s
e
t
s
(
e
x
c
l
.
P
U
R
)
O
t
h
e
r
t
h
e
r
m
o
p
l
.
P
C
P
U
R
P
A
P
M
M
A
A
B
S
,
S
A
N
P
E
T
P
V
C
P
S
-
E
P
S
P
P
P
E
-
H
D
,
-
M
D
P
E
-
L
D
,
-
L
L
D
Mt
10
8.5
6.3
5.2
4
1.6 1.5 0.9 0.8 0.8
0.2
2.7
4.1
3.8
2021
2020
34 PLASTICS EUROPE

In 2021, packaging and
building construction by far
represented the largest end-
use markets for plastics in the
EU27+3. The third biggest end-
use market is the automotive
sector.
European plastics converters demand
by applications
Electrical
Electronics
6.5%
Household,
Leisure Sports
4.4%
Agriculture, Farming
Gardening
3.1%
Packaging
39.1%
Automotive
8.6%
Building
Construction
21.3%
Others
17%
50.3 Mt
in 2021
35 PLASTICS EUROPE

PUR
8.2%
PE-HD, -MD
12.6%
PP
19.8%
PS, PS-E
6.2%
PVC
10.3%
PET
7.9%
Other
thermoplastics
10.8%
Other
thermosets
(excl. PUR)
7.5%
PE-LD, -LLD
16.8%
50.3 Mt
in 2021
In 2021, almost half of
the European plastics
converters demand was
represented by polyolefins.
demand by type
36 PLASTICS EUROPE

Packaging
Building Construction
Automotive
Electrical Electronics
Agriculture,
Farming Gardening
Household,
Leisure Sports
Others
PE-LD,
-LLD
PE-HD,
-MD
PP PS PS-E PVC PET ABS,
SAN
PMMA PA PC PUR Other
thermoplastics
Other
thermosets
(excl. PUR)
39.1%
21.3%
8.6%
6.5%
3.1%
4.4%
17%
Numbers behind this graph are available upon request
Plastics - the Facts figures on PA only cover PA6 and PA66
demand by application and type
37 PLASTICS EUROPE

In 2021, the use of post-consumer recycled
plastics by European converters reached 5.5 Mt,
representing a 9.9% recycled content. This
represents an increase of about 20% compared
to 2018.
9.9%
90.1% 55.6Mt
in 2021
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on interviews with European plastics converters.
Data on the use of bio-based/bio-attributed plastics by European converters is not included. Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles,
adhesives, sealants, coatings, etc.) are not included
Data on the use of the plastics by European converters differs from the plastics converters demand data. This is explained by different scopes (recycled plastics excluded in the demand
figures). Process loss in conversion were also taken into account in the use of fossil-based plastics by converters.
European post-consumer recycled
plastics use reached 9,9 % in 2021
Fossil-based
plastics
Post-consumer
recycled plastics
38 PLASTICS EUROPE

Post-consumer recycled content in 2021
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on interviews with European plastics converters
Data on the use of bio-based/bio-attributed plastics by European converters is not included.
Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles,
2.9% (64 kt)
HOUSEWARE, LEISURE SPORTS
3.2% (106 kt)
ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS
25.4% (592 kt)
AGRICULTURE, FARMING GARDENING
2.9% (128 kt)
AUTOMOTIVE
9.9% (5,496 kt)
OTHERS
18.1% (2,364 kt)
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
8.5% (1,836 kt)
PACKAGING
0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000
kt
RECYCLED CONTENT IN NEW PRODUCTS
Post-consumer
recycled plastics
7.2% (4 Mt) 8.5% (4.6 Mt)
9.9% (5.5 Mt)
in 2020
in 2018
in 2021
39 PLASTICS EUROPE

6
5
4
3
2
1
2018 2020 2021
30
% %
25
20
15
10
5
0
2018 2020 2021
20.3%
22.8%
25.4%
14.4 %
16.5%
18.1%
4.6%
2.1%
1.8%
2.1%
2.9%
2.6%
2.9%
2.9%
2.9%
3.2%
6.6%
4.4%
5.4%
4.6%
8.5%
In 2021, post-consumer recycled content continued to
grow in the agriculture, building construction and
packaging sectors.
Agriculture,
Farming Gardening
Building Construction
Electrical Electronics
Packaging
Automotive
Others
Household, Leisure
Sports
Post-consumer recycled content
evolution per applications
Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH based on interviews with European plastics converters. The above data are rounded estimations.
Data on the use of bio-based/bio-attributed plastics by European converters is not included. Polymers that are not used in the conversion of plastic parts and products (i.e. for textiles,
40 PLASTICS EUROPE

European trade
balance
In 2021, the European plastics
industry achieved a positive
trade balance of 14.4 billion
euros.
Source: Eurostat
* Official Eurostat denomination: Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
** Official Eurostat denomination: Manufacture of plastics products
14.4
billion €
trade balance 5
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
€bn
Plastics production EXTRA EU27*
Plastics conversion EXTRA EU27**
26.7
16.3
10.4
6.9 7.1 7.8 8.2 7.7
6.5 5.4
8.9
9.9
8.6
7.1
9.3 9
23.1
23.9
25.4
26.4
27.9
28.1
33.8
18.6
20.2 20.2
24.3
16.7
17
30
31
33.2
34.5
35.5 34.6
39.2
26
28.4 28.8
27.3 26
33.2
Export Export surplus
Import
41 PLASTICS EUROPE

Source: Eurostat
* Official Eurostat denomination: Manufacture of plastics in primary forms
** Official Eurostat denomination: Manufacture of plastics products
Top extra EU trade
partners (in value)
In 2021, the United States of
America, United Kingdom
and China were the top
trade partners of the EU27
plastics industry.
Plastics production*
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
SOUTH KOREA
UNITED KINGDOM
SAUDI ARABIA
CHINA
CHINA
UNITED KINGDOM
SWITZERLAND
TURKEY
UNITED KINGDOM
TURKEY
CHINA
RUSSIA
UNITED KINGDOM
SWITZERLAND
CHINA
RUSSIA
18.4%
11.3%
10%
9.2%
8.7%
14.5%
11.9%
11.4%
10.9%
6.3%
17.5%
13.6%
9.7%
7.6%
5.5%
35.8%
11.4%
11.2%
7.2%
7.1%
Imports Exports
Plastics conversion**
Imports Exports
42 PLASTICS EUROPE

End-of-life
management
in EU27+3
43 PLASTICS EUROPE

“Plastics waste recycling
rates are 13x higher when
collected separately”
44 PLASTICS EUROPE

Source: Conversio Market Strategy GmbH
Non-plastics waste (i.e. textiles, adhesives, sealants, coatings, etc.) is not included
The plastics packaging waste data used for the above graph were extrapolated based on 2019 available figures. The above data were rounded.
Mixed waste collection: waste collection system in which end-users do not sort the different types of waste (e.g. household residual waste and municipal waste).
Separate waste collection: waste collection system in which end-users sort the different types of waste on a product level (e.g. household lightweight packaging, WEEE collection,
container parks).
Mixed and separate post-consumer
plastics waste collection in 2020
14.5Mt
via SEPARATE
waste collection
15Mt
29.5Mt
65%
27%
8%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
5%
57%
38%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
MIXED
waste collection
via
In 2020, 29.5 million tonnes of
post-consumer plastics waste
were collected in the EU27+3.
Plastics waste recycling rates
are 13x higher when collected
separately compared to mixed
waste collection schemes.
45 PLASTICS EUROPE

50%
Between 2006-2020
plastics waste
exports outside the
EU27+UK
have been
reduced by
13x
Higher
when collected
separately
Plastics waste
recycling
rates are
compare to mixed collection
schemes
46 PLASTICS EUROPE

CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate
Recycling rates for plastic packaging waste are shown under the old plastic packaging recycling calculation methodology.
Evolution of post-consumer plastics
waste treatment (EU27+3)
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
Mt
Recycling
4.7
5.2
6.0
6.9
7.7
8.4 9.4
10.2
Energy
recovery
7.0
7.4
8.2
8.9
10.2
11.3
12.4 12.4
Landfill
12.9
12.1
10.4
9.0
8.0
7.4 7.2 6.9
2006-2020
CAGR: 5.7%
2006-2020
CAGR: 4.2%
2006-2020
CAGR: -4.4%
+117%
+77%
Energy recovery
-47%
Landfill
Recycling
2006-2020
EVOLUTION
47 PLASTICS EUROPE

Post-consumer plastics waste
management in 2020 (EU27+3)
In 2020, 35% of post-consumer
plastics waste was sent to
recycling.
42%
23%
35%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
29.5Mt
in 2020
48 PLASTICS EUROPE

1. Countries with landfill restrictions.
2020 Dutch plastics recycling included some quantities of plastics packaging waste collected in 2019, due to a fire in a local recycling facility in 2019.
Post-consumer plastics waste
treatment per country in 2020
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Finland1
Hungary
Bulgaria
Malta
France
Greece
Poland
Lithuania
Cyprus
Croatia
Switzerland1
Ireland
Slovakia
Austria1
Portugal
Romania
Italy
Latvia
Luxembourg1
Estonia
Slovenia
United Kingdom
Belgium1
Czech Republic
Sweden
Denmark1
Germany1
Spain
Norway1
Netherlands1 45%
44%
43%
42%
40%
39%
39%
39%
37%
35%
34%
34%
34%
34%
33%
32%
31%
30%
29%
28%
28%
27%
27%
27%
25%
25%
23% 2%
23%
22%
21%
55%
54%
21%
57%
58%
60%
22%
59%
44%
32%
46%
2%
34%
35%
11%
69%
25%
62%
72%
5% 67%
2%
28%
32%
2%
44%
8%
21%
77%
2%
0%
36%
1%
2%
1%
39%
2%
19%
33%
20%
66%
64%
0%
32%
33%
0%
56%
45%
9%
0%
71%
45%
41%
73%
31%
75%
69%
57%
2%
Recycling
Landfill
Energy recovery
49 PLASTICS EUROPE

Four countries have
recycling rates above 40%
50 PLASTICS EUROPE

Recycling rates for plastics packaging waste are shown under the old plastics packaging recycling methodology. The plastics packaging waste data used for the above graph were extrapolated
based on 2019 available figures. The above data were rounded.
Mixed waste collection: waste collection system in which end-users do not sort the different types of waste (e.g. household residual waste and municipal waste).
Separate waste collection: waste collection system in which end-users sort the different types of waste on a product level (e.g. household lightweight packaging, WEEE collection, container parks).
Separate waste collection streams do not contain 100% plastics, since they may be mixed with other materials (e.g. a computer is composed of different types of materials).
Mixed and separate post-consumer
plastics PACKAGING waste collection
in 2020
In 2020, 17.9 million tonnes
of post-consumer plastics
packaging waste were collected
in the EU27+3.
Plastics packaging waste
recycling rates are 80x higher
when collected separately
compared to mixed waste
collection schemes.
10Mt
via SEPARATE
waste collection
7.9Mt
17.9Mt
80%
18%
2%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
1%
62%
37%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
MIXED
waste collection
via
51 PLASTICS EUROPE

80x
Higher
when collected
separately
Plastics
PACKAGING
waste recycling
rates are
compare to mixed collection
schemes
52 PLASTICS EUROPE

Recycling rates for plastics packaging waste are shown under the old plastics packaging recycling methodology. The plastics packaging waste data used for the above graph were
extrapolated based on 2019 available figures. The above data were rounded.
Post-consumer plastics PACKAGING
waste management in 2020 (EU27+3)
In 2020, the overall European
recycling rate for post-consumer
plastics packaging reached 46%
(under the former Packaging
and Packaging Waste Directive
calculation methodology),
compared to 42% in 2018 – an
increase of about 9.5%.
37%
17%
46%
Recycling
Energy
recovery
Landfill
9.5%
increase
of plastics packaging
recycling rate since 2018
17.9Mt
in 2020
53 PLASTICS EUROPE

2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
Mt
7.2
6.5
3.5
3.4 3.3
3.1
4.2
3.9 4.5
5.7
6.3
6.8
7.5
8.2
6.7
7.0
6.5
6.1
5.4
4.6
3.8
5.1
Recycling
Energy recovery
Landfill
2006-2020
CAGR: 5.4%
2006-2020
CAGR: 4.1%
2006-2020
CAGR: -5.9%
Recycling rates for plastics packaging waste are shown under the old plastics packaging recycling methodology. The plastics packaging waste data used for the above graph were
extrapolated based on 2019 available figures. The above data were rounded.
Since 2006, post-consumer plastics
PACKAGING recycling waste has
more than doubled
The 2006-2020 plastics
packaging waste recycling
evolution in the EU27+3 showed
a Compound Annual Growth
Rate of 5.4%.
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+110%
+76%
Energy recovery
-57%
Landfill
Recycling
54 PLASTICS EUROPE

Post-consumer plastics PACKAGING
waste treatment per country in 2020
(EU27+3)
The current 46% recycling
rate would potentially equal
32% under the new plastics
packaging recycling calculation
methodology foreseen by the
Packaging and Packaging Waste
Directive (PPWD) (Directive (EU)
2018/852).
Non-plastics waste (i.e. textiles, adhesives, sealants,
coatings, etc.) is not included
1. Under the former point of calculation: Materials sent for
recycling - Directive (EU) 94/62/EC
2. Under the new point of calculation: Materials entering
pelletisation, extrusion and moulding processes - Directive
(EU) 2018/852
The plastics packaging waste data used for the above
graph were extrapolated based on 2019 available figures.
The above data were rounded.
Recycling rates for plastic packaging waste are shown
under the old plastic packaging recycling calculation
methodology.
2020 Dutch plastics recycling included some quantities of
plastics packaging waste collected in 2019, due to a fire in
a local recycling facility in 2019.
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Hungary
Finland
France
Ireland
Greece
Malta
Croatia
Poland
Denmark
Austria
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Lithuania
Switzerland
Luxembourg
Portugal
Slovenia
Slovakia
Romania
Latvia
Estonia
Sweden
Norway
Italy
Spain
United Kingdom
Belgium
Czech Republic
Germany
Netherlands 65%
55%
55%
54%
52%
52%
49%
49%
47%
47%
46%
44%
44%
44%
42%
41%
40%
39%
39%
38%
38%
38%
37%
34%
34%
32%
32%
27%
27%
26%
Recycling
2020 EU average post-consumer
plastics packaging recycling rate: 46%¹
2025 PPWD target: 50%²
2030 PPWD target: 55%²
55 PLASTICS EUROPE

56 PLASTICS EUROPE

End-of-life
management
in selected
countries
57 PLASTICS EUROPE

“In 2020, four countries
had plastics recycling
rates above 40%”
58 PLASTICS EUROPE

The plastics packaging consumption and waste data used for the above graph were extrapolated based on 2019 available figures. The above data were rounded.
Belgium · All plastics
From 2006 to 2020, the
quantities sent to recycling
increased by 69%, energy
recovery increased by 19% and
landfill decreased by 83%.
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
60
10 10
134
286
389
341
206
227
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2020
2006-2020
(CAGR: 1.3%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.8%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -12.1%)
59%
39%
2%
578kt
in 2020
+19%
Energy recovery
-83%
Landfill
+69%
Recycling
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
Post-consumer plastics waste treatment evolution 2006-2020 (in kt)
59 PLASTICS EUROPE

* From household, industrial and commercial packaging
Belgium · Plastics PACKAGING*
From 2006 to 2020, the quantities
packaging waste sent to recycling
increased by +59%, energy
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
31
0 0
108
137
198
148
149
172
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 0.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.4%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -100%)
+59%
+8%
Energy recovery
-100%
Landfill
Recycling
46%
55%
320kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
Post-consumer plastics PACKAGING* waste treatment
treatment evolution 2006-2020 (in kt)
60 PLASTICS EUROPE

France · All plastics
sent to recycling increased by
88%, energy recovery increased
by 42% and landfill decreased
by 20%.
kt
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
1,455
495
1,178
1,587
1,672
1,159
1,189
887
929
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 2,5%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -1.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 4.6%)
+42%
Energy recovery
-20%
Landfill
+88%
Recycling
44%
25%
31%
3,760kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
61 PLASTICS EUROPE

France · Plastics PACKAGING*
increased by 45%, energy recovery
increased by 32% and landfill
decreased by 16%.
*From household, industrial and commercial packaging
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
796
440
790
1,008
723
1,040
670
621
640
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 2%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -1.2 %)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 2.7%)
44%
27%
29%
+32%
Energy recovery
-16%
Landfill
+45%
Recycling
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
2,350kt
in 2020
evolution 2006-2020 (in kt)
62 PLASTICS EUROPE

57%
42%
1%
Germany · All plastics
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
1,873
3,233 3,120
2,263
2,055
1,112
174
35 35
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.7%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 5.2%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -10.8%)
5,419kt
in 2020
+67%
Energy recovery
-80%
Landfill
+104%
Recycling
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
63 PLASTICS EUROPE

45%
55%
Germany · Plastics PACKAGING*
decreased by 93%.
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
898
1,752
1,572
1,571
1,409
44 2
955
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
3
2006-2020
(CAGR: 2.8%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 2.9%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -17,5%)
+95%
+47%
Energy recovery
-93%
Landfill
Recycling
3,163kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
64 PLASTICS EUROPE

34%
34%
32%
Italy · All plastics
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
1,203
1,198
759
1,192
1,143
681
1,144
1,296
2,516
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.3%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 4.1%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -5.5%)
3,545kt
in 2020
-52%
Landfill
Energy recovery +58%
+77%
Recycling
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
65 PLASTICS EUROPE

44%
49%
7%
Italy · Plastics PACKAGING*
decreased by 83%.
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
632
883
287
147
1,024
986
645
986
1,076
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.1%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 3.9%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -12%)
+70%
+53%
Energy recovery
-83%
Landfill
Recycling
2,209kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
66 PLASTICS EUROPE

32%
27%
41%
Poland · All plastics
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
1,025
812
582
525
196
5
664
543
844
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 41.8%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 7.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -1.4%)
2,051kt
in 2020
-18%
Landfill
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+177%
Recycling
Energy recovery +13,200%
67 PLASTICS EUROPE

38%
37%
25%
Poland · Plastics PACKAGING*
recovery increased by x85 and
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
507
317
293
425
405
352
432
193
5
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill 2006-2020
(CAGR: 37.5%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 5.8%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -3.8%)
+120%
Energy recovery
-42%
Landfill
Recycling
1,150kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+85,000%
68 PLASTICS EUROPE

21%
43%
36%
Spain · All plastics
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
1,686
996
1,077
467
311
496
538
1,106
923
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 4%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 6.4%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -4.2%)
2,567kt
in 2020
-45%
Landfill
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+137%
Recycling
+73%
Energy recovery
69 PLASTICS EUROPE

14%
52%
34%
Spain · Plastics PACKAGING*
recovery increased by 3.8% and
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
1,032
560
839
381
232 256 241
889
585
2006-2020
(CAGR: 0.3%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 6.2%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -4%)
+133%
+3.8%
Energy recovery
-43%
Landfill
Recycling
1,715 kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
70 PLASTICS EUROPE

55%
45%
The Netherlands · All plastics
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
577
617
537
177
316
478
2.5
4
137
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: 0.5%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 7.4%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -23.9%)
1,058kt
in 2020
+7%
Energy recovery
-98%
Landfill
+170%
Recycling
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
71 PLASTICS EUROPE

35%
65%
The Netherlands · Plastics PACKAGING*
of plastics post-consumer
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2017 2020
412
258
254
0 0
218
315
148
50
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
2006-2020
(CAGR: -2.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 7.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -100%)
+178%
+31%
Energy recovery
-100%
Landfill
Recycling
630kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
72 PLASTICS EUROPE

44%
37%
19%
The United Kingdom · All plastics
recovery increased by 657%
and landfill decreased by 72%.
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
1,750
525
1,261
1,446
1,802
882
2,59
735
231
2006-2020
(CAGR: 15.6%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 7.5%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -8.6%)
3,931kt
in 2020
-72%
Landfill
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+175%
Recycling
73 PLASTICS EUROPE

36%
52%
12%
The United Kingdom ·
Plastics PACKAGING*
2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
kt
Energy recovery
Recycling
Landfill
1,145
253
785
989
138 329
1,461
1,044
481
2006-2020
(CAGR: 13.2%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: 6.4%)
2006-2020
(CAGR: -11.8%)
2,183kt
in 2020
2006-2020 EVOLUTION
+138%
-83%
Landfill
Recycling
74 PLASTICS EUROPE

Outlooks
75 PLASTICS EUROPE

“Energy and logistics
crises leading to
uncertainties and
challenges for the
European plastics
industry”
76 PLASTICS EUROPE

Plastics industry
production in EU27
In 2022, the war in Ukraine
reinforced the already existing
problems in the supply chains
and the high prices for feedstock
and energy. High prices,
especially in Europe, weakened
economic growth and led to a
lower demand for plastics.
Source: Eurostat, September 2022
2012 2013 2014 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
2015 2016
80
70
90
100
110
120
130
Plastics and rubber machinery
Plastics products
Plastics in primary forms
Index 2015 = 100;
on a quarterly basis, seasonally
and working day adjusted
77 PLASTICS EUROPE

The sharp decline in the
European plastics production
caused by the COVID-19
pandemic in the first half
of 2020 was followed by an
even stronger recovery in
2021. However, significant
uncertainties remain for end
2022 and 2023 due to the current
energy and logistics crises.
Growth rate:
2020: -5%
2021: 10.5%
2022: -4% (prediction with
the assumption of no gas
shortage in Europe)
Production of plastics
in primary forms in EU27
Due to geopolitical uncertainties is not possible to present a prediction for 2023
Index 2015 = 100; on a quarterly basis, seasonally and working day adjusted
Source: Eurostat, September 2022
Average annual index, estimate for 2022
Plastics in primary forms
2013
2012
80
90
100
110
120
2014 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022
2015 2016
Index 2015 = 100;
on a quarterly basis, seasonally
and working day adjusted
78 PLASTICS EUROPE

List of acronyms
ABS: Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin
ASA: Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate
bn: billion
CIS: Commonwealth of Independent States
EU: European Union
EU27+3: EU Member States, Norway, Switzerland
and the United Kingdom
EU27+UK: EU Member States and the United
Kingdom
EPRO: European Association of Plastics Recycling
and Recovery Organisations
kt: kilo tonnes
Mt: million tonnes
PA: Polyamides. Plastics - the Facts figures on PA
only cover PA6 and PA66
PBT: Polybutylene terephthalate
PC: Polycarbonate
PE: Polyethylene
PEEK: Polyethertherketone
PE-HD: Polyethylene, high density
PEI: Polyetherimide
PE-LD: Polyethylene, low density
PE-LLD: Polyethylene, linear low density
PE-MD: Polyethylene, medium density
PEMRG: Plastics Europe Market Research Group
PET: Polyethylene terephthalate
PMMA: Polymethyl methacrylate
POM: Polyoxymethylene
PP: Polypropylene
PPA : Polyphtalamide
PS: Polystyrene
PS-E: Expandable polystyrene
PTFE: Polytetrafluoroethylene
PSU/PES/PPSU: polysulfone/polyethersulfone/
polyphenylsulfone
PUR: Polyurethane
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride
PVDF: Polyvinylidene
SAN: Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
79 PLASTICS EUROPE

Plastics Europe
Plastics Europe is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers with offices across Europe.
For over 100 years, science and innovation has been the DNA that cuts across our industry. With close
to 100 members producing over 90% of all polymers across Europe, we are the catalyst for the industry
with a responsibility to openly engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions which are safe, circular
and sustainable. We are committed to implementing long-lasting positive change.
www.plasticseurope.org
EPRO
European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations
EPRO is a pan-European partnership of specialist organisations that are able to develop and deliver
efficient solutions for the sustainable management of plastic waste, now and for the future. EPRO
members are working to optimise national effectiveness through international co-operation: by
studying successful approaches, evaluating different solutions and examining obstacles to progress.
By working together EPRO members can achieve synergies that will increase efficient plastics recycling
and recovery. Currently 19 organisations in 14 European countries, South Africa and Canada are
represented in EPRO.
www.epro-plasticsrecycling.org
80 PLASTICS EUROPE

PlasticsEurope
@PlasticsEurope
© 2022 PlasticsEurope AISBL • All rights reserved
PlasticsEurope AISBL
Rue Belliard 40 • Box 16
1040 Brussels • Belgium
+32 (0)2 792 30 99
connect@plasticseurope.org
plasticseurope.org
EPRO
Konigin Astridlaan 58 • Bus 5
1780 Wemmel • Belgium
+32 (0)2 456 84 49
info@epro-plasticsrecycling.org
www.epro-plasticsrecycling.org

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