Few takers for EU plastic scrap

Only 24 non-OECD governments have told Brussels they are interested in accepting scrap exports from the EU – with European recyclers calling for other countries to be given more time.

2025 will be crucial for the European plastic scrap market, as the updated and far-reaching Waste Shipment Regulation will begin to have a profound effect on the movement of secondary plastics. Last year, the regulation underwent many changes as policy makers sought to reduce the export of plastic waste from Europe.

The most significant change was a ban on such shipments to non-OECD countries from November 2026. The European Commission will revisit the possibility of resuming exports to non-OECD countries from May 2029, provided the importing country gets onto a list of authorised importers, which the Commission will manage.

Low response

The Commission had asked all non-OECD importing countries to indicate a willingness to import the green-listed waste from the EU by 21 February. Governments had to specify the scrap they wanted to import, along with evidence to show their domestic recycling capacities were suitable for processing the material sustainably.

They were also advised to submit details of their local collection arrangements to ensure such imports would not be an additional burden on domestic services – and that the material was needed. After the deadline, it was revealed that 24 non-OECD countries had submitted an application to Brussels, although the list did not indicate which scrap individual streams were being requested. China was a major absentee.

Delay sought

It appears that some countries are not yet ready to meet the requirements the Commission has imposed. Without an application, the Commission cannot accept non-OECD countries as approved importers of EU scrap. This will seriously limit EU exporters looking to sell green-listed waste. Recycling organisations had called on policy makers to postpone the deadline to ease the trade in coming years.

Tighter rules

OECD countries can continue to receive waste from Europe but the export process will be more tightly controlled. From May 2026, pre-notification rules will apply for all exports of plastic waste out of Europe, including non-OECD countries. The Commission will monitor export volumes to OECD countries and, if it is felt necessary, it could step in to change the process or even withhold exports.

Prime boost

Prices for secondary plastic in Europe improved slowly in the first weeks of the year. In February, prices rose due to an improvement in the cost of prime plastics. LDPE natural film prices were at EUR 355-360 per tonne in January and jumped by 6-7% in February to reach EUR 380-385 per tonne.

Supply shortage in the European market continues. Most collectors have been complaining of lower volumes available from industrial sources due to the generally weaker economic situation.

Lower availability

Prime monomer prices in Europe rose by nearly EUR 50 per tonne at the beginning of February and producers expect firmness in March. Some closed their sales books in early February, asserting low inventories, while some invoked ‘force majeure’, delaying the delivery of planned loads. Such small changes may trigger low product availability when needed.

Although the momentum has been towards the upside, crude oil price slipped in February. By 21 February, it was at US$ 70 per bbl, which is almost 10% down from its peak in the middle of January. If this falls further, it may change the current strong prime plastic market equation. 

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