The EU faces a major flexible packaging recycling gap as CEFLEX warns that 2.5 million tonnes of post-consumer recyclate may be needed by 2030. The challenge is no longer only recycling more, but building reliable markets that can use recycled material at scale.
SynPet Technologies has cleared a key permit hurdle for its planned €300 million plastic recycling facility at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The project could process 250,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste annually and turn it into circular feedstock for Europe’s petrochemical industry.
ORLEN Unipetrol has begun testing ISCC Plus-certified pyrolysis oil from recycled plastics at its Litvínov steam cracker, marking a practical step toward circular petrochemical production.
Italy’s plastic recycling industry is facing a value crisis, not a volume crisis. While recycled plastic volumes increased to around 850,000 tonnes in 2025, sector turnover fell for the third consecutive year to €685 million. High energy costs, weak demand, cheap imports and competition from virgin polymers are squeezing margins, leaving many recyclers under severe pressure. PET remains the strongest segment thanks to mandatory recycled-content rules, but other polymers still lack stable market support.
Evonik is strengthening the chemical recycling sector with innovative purification technologies that improve pyrolysis oil quality for use in steam crackers. The solutions help transform difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into valuable raw materials for new plastics.
New research warns that the UK is collecting more plastic for recycling while simultaneously losing the infrastructure needed to process it. Industry experts say billions in investment and thousands of jobs could be unlocked if policymakers create stable conditions for recycling growth.
PepsiCo is accelerating its circular packaging strategy with new Gatorade bottles made from Eastman’s PET Renew resin. The advanced recycling process transforms difficult-to-recycle polyester waste, including textiles and plastic films, into food-grade PET suitable for new beverage packaging
Italy’s plastic recycling chain is facing growing pressure. Utilitalia warns that excessive plastic waste stocks and saturated recycling outlets could disrupt collection services and threaten circular economy targets unless urgent action is taken.
GRDF is strengthening its commitment to sustainable fleet management by extending its partnership with The Future is NEUTRAL. The renewed agreement will support the collection, reuse, recycling, and recovery of approximately 650 end-of-life vehicles annually while advancing circular economy objectives.
