The 14th PLASTIC JAPAN exhibition begins at Makuhari Messe in Chiba from November 12-14 2025, showcasing sustainable plastics, advanced processing machinery and recycling solutions for Asia’s plastics sector
RecyClass has launched a new Sorting Process Certification to enhance transparency and traceability in the recycling industry. The certification aligns with EU Regulation (EU) No 2022/1616 and ensures that plastic waste sorting meets strict standards for food-contact applications. This marks a key milestone in building global trust and accountability across the circular plastics value chain
European Plastics Industry Declines: Insights from PlasticsEurope at K2025
The atmosphere at K2025 reflected growing unease within Europe’s plastics sector. According to PlasticsEurope’s “Plastics the Fast Facts 2025” report, the industry continues to shrink in global relevance despite a slight stabilization in production volumes. Europe’s share of global plastics output has fallen from 22% to just 12% over the past two decades, squeezed by high energy costs, strict regulations, and fierce global competition.
Producer turnover dropped 13% between 2022 and 2024, highlighting deep structural pressures and weak domestic demand. Meanwhile, Asia — led by China — now accounts for 57% of global plastics production, underscoring Europe’s loss of industrial ground.
Even in circular plastics, Europe lags behind: production remained flat at 8.4 million tons in 2024, while global circular plastics surpassed 43.9 million tons, driven by rapid growth in Asia.
At K2025, PlasticsEurope’s Director General Virginia Janssens called for urgent policy alignment and investment to revitalize the sector. Without coherent industrial strategy and stronger support for innovation, Europe risks not only economic decline but also dependency on imported sustainable materials.
Recycled Polystyrene Presented by FLO to meet future PPWR requirements, the new R-Hybrid SKY cup is expected to hit the market by the end of the year. Introduction In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, packaging manufacturers are under pressure to rethink materials and design. FLO, an Italian company specializing in tableware and packaging, has…
