EU praised for recognising parlous plastic scrap sector

A senior figure in the plastic scrap industry has welcomed ‘a clear signal’ that the European Union recognises it needs targeted support.

Writing in the latest BIR Mirror for plastics, Henk Alssema, president of the organisation’s plastics division, refers to the EU reviewing end-of-waste criteria and further developing rules on recycled content. Even so, Alssema warns that prospects of a broad rally in recycled polymers in the short term appear limited.

‘At the start of 2026, the overall picture in the European recycling market is one of stabilisation after a prolonged period of pressure but still without convincing signs of recovery,’ he writes. ‘In conversations with recyclers, traders and end users, broadly the same phrase keeps coming up: “The bottom seems to have been reached, but there is no upward momentum yet”.’

Stability

Alssema notes that rPP prices have largely remained flat compared to the end of 2025; rHDPE has been ‘slightly more stable’; while recovery in the market for rHIPS and rABS is ‘proving hard to find’.

‘Overall, the start of the year has seen what can best be described as a bottoming phase: the sharp downward corrections appear to be behind us but the market still lacks a structural demand impulse to push prices meaningfully higher.’

Alssema argues that the European sector is moving towards less capacity, more  consolidation and a wider role for integrated players who combine scale, security of offtake and access to feedstock.

Harmonisation

At the end of 2025, the European Commission said it would actively support the plastic recycling industry, acknowledging that both recycling capacity and Europe’s circular economy objectives are at risk.

‘At their core, measures focus on market stabilisation and harmonisation. There is work towards EU-wide end-of-waste criteria for plastics, making it easier to trade recycled plastics as raw materials within Europe. In addition, rules on recycled content – particularly in PET applications – are being further developed, and co-operation within the European recycling value chain is being actively encouraged.’

Business case

Alssema says the focus is shifting from regulation towards strengthening the business case for recycling. ‘In my view, this is not a lifeline; it is, however, a clear signal from Brussels that our industry matters. Frankly, it was about time.’
He concludes that the first quarter of 2026 confirms the European recycling market is in transition.

‘The free-fall has been halted but any signs of recovery are still fragile. The key question now is not whether the market will become structurally healthier, but how quickly regulation and enforcement will genuinely support that process.’