Securing a future for circular plastics in Europe – plastship supports the PRE initiative

Plastics are the third most used materials in Europe – indispensable in packaging, automotive, construction and medical technology. However, their sustainable potential can only be fully realised if closed material cycles are established and high-quality recyclates are used on a large scale.

The new position paper from Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) – "Securing a Future for Circular Plastics in Europe" – makes it clear: Europe's plastics and recycling industry is at a crossroads. Without decisive action, there is a risk of loss of competitiveness, dependence on imports and a weakening of strategic autonomy.

To the document

PRE's Key Demands

The paper identifies six areas for action that are crucial for a competitive circular economy in Europe:

1. Reduce price pressure on raw materials – through clear rules for waste trading and standardised quality specifications.
2. Ensure high quality standards – for collection, sorting, recycling and recyclates, both within the EU and for imports.
3. Guarantee fair trade – with greater transparency, dedicated customs codes for recyclates and consistent market protection.
4. Lower energy prices – and provide recycling companies with access to affordable, clean energy.
5. Simplify compliance – through harmonised EU regulations, less bureaucracy and faster approvals.
6. Create financial incentives – from tax benefits and public procurement to funding programmes.

These steps are intended not only to strengthen the circular economy, but also to secure Europe's role as a pioneer of sustainable industry.

plastship: Innovations in Response to the PRE Agenda

As a proud member of PRE, plastship explicitly supports these demands – and is already putting them into practice with concrete solutions.

• The plastship database makes the availability, origin and quality of recyclates transparent. More than 2,500 material data sets and 1,000 registered companies provide a solid foundation for procurement and distribution.
• The Recycled Materials Benchmark offers, for the first time, a standardised, comparable quality assessment of recyclates – exactly the transparency PRE calls for in its paper.
• The KISS project (AI-based qualification, management and optimisation of material flows) goes a step further: Artificial intelligence enables more efficient management of material flows, AI-supported material analysis and identification of optimal recycling routes. KISS thus provides the technological basis to put PRE's quality and innovation requirements into practice.
• Through the Plastics Recycling Taskforce, plastship connects market players, increases visibility and creates practical use cases – contributing to the industry collaboration PRE demands.

Together at Leading Trade Fairs

The next steps will not be taken alone: At Fachpack 2025 (24–26 September, Nuremberg, Hall 7, Stand 7-123) and K Messe 2025 (16–23 October, Düsseldorf, Hall 6, Stand C45), plastship will present its solutions and the KISS project together with partners and stakeholders. The aim is to actively drive the necessary changes forward, in close cooperation with the industry and organisations such as PRE.

Meet us at FACHPACK 2025

Conclusion

The PRE position paper provides a clear roadmap for the future of plastics recycling in Europe. plastship demonstrates how these demands can already be implemented today through innovation, transparency and networking. This strengthens competitiveness – while making a decisive contribution to achieving Europe's climate targets.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact me.

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