Strengthening Recycled Material Use: plastship Supports Calls for Fair Market Conditions

The plastics recycling industry is under considerable economic pressure. Industry associations such as the BVSE – Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management are therefore calling for targeted political action to safeguard the circular economy in Europe. plastship explicitly supports these demands.

Growing Challenges for Recycling

According to industry reports, several hundred thousand tonnes of recycling capacity have already been shut down across Europe. The main causes include:

- Declining demand for recyclates due to low-cost virgin plastics,
- Market distortions caused by imports not subject to European standards,
- High energy costs and uncertain political frameworks.

In an interview with K-Zeitung, Dr Herbert Snell, Vice President of the BVSE, voiced concern over current developments. He warned: “If political action is not taken, we face a structural collapse – and that would be irreversible.”

Full interview in K-Zeitung (German)

Demands to Policymakers

The BVSE is calling for, among other things:

• Fair market conditions for European recyclates,
• Harmonised customs codes and environmental standards for recycled imports,
• Tax incentives for the use of recycled plastics,
• Relief on energy costs and streamlined permitting for recycling facilities.

A key point is also the equal regulatory treatment of mechanical and chemical recycling.

PET as a Positive Example – but with Gaps

Dirk Textor, Chair of the BVSE’s Plastics Recycling Division, describes mechanical PET recycling as a “functioning pillar” of the system.
At the same time, he points to significant gaps: according to a study cited in Recycling Magazin, Germany alone will face a shortfall of around 860,000 tonnes of food-grade recyclate by 2030 if targets are to be met.

Full article in Recycling Magazin (German)

plastship: Supporting and Contributing to the Circular Economy

plastship agrees that decisive action is now needed. From our perspective, the following aspects are critical:

• A realistic and technology-neutral assessment of recycling methods,
• Better integration of pre-consumer and post-industrial material streams,
• Recognition of mixed plastic recycling as both economically and environmentally viable.

Through ourKISS project – AI-supported optimisation of material flows – plastship is actively contributing to the development of robust, data-driven circular structures in cooperation with partners. These efforts include:

• Material analyses for quality assurance,
• Digital tools for recyclate usage and material selection,
• Our Monitored Materials Database for evaluating and sourcing recyclates.

Conclusion: Now is the Time to Set the Right Policy Course

To strengthen Europe as a business location within a sustainable circular economy, we need:

• Reliable regulatory frameworks,
• Fair market access for recyclates,
• Investment security for companies committed to circular solutions.

plastship is actively committed to ensuring that effective recycling solutions are strengthened and further developed – together with industry, policymakers, and our partners.

Sources:

• https://www.k-zeitung.de/bvse-fordert-faire-regeln-fuer-rezyklate
• https://www.recyclingmagazin.de/2025/07/10/kunststoffrecycling-in-der-krise-aber-nicht-am-ende/
• Image credit: © RIGK

If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me!

Mirco Gattinger, Marketing & Social Media Manager
+49 172 1369 774 · gattinger@plastship.com