What is the latest compound annual growth rate for circular plastics production in Europe between 2022 and 2024, and how does it compare to the previous period?

According to Plastics Europe’s biennial report 'The Circular Economy for Plastics: A European Analysis', the compound annual growth rate of European circular plastics production plummeted to 1.2% between 2022 and 2024, down sharply from 13.6% between 2018 and 2022.

Why does Plastics Europe describe the slowdown in Europe's circular plastics transition as 'dramatic', and what key factors does it attribute this to?

Plastics Europe describes the slowdown as 'dramatic' because it occurs precisely when Europe should be accelerating its circular economy transition; the association attributes it to high energy and feedstock prices, emissions costs, and a lack of fair trade, which have forced manufacturers into 'survival mode' and prevented necessary investments in circularity—leading to 'decarbonisation through deindustrialisation'.

European Circular Plastics Growth Slows Sharply on High Costs, Imports

May 20, 2026

A Plastics Europe report indicates European circular plastics production growth dropped to 1.2% from 13.6% due to high energy and feedstock costs. With global growth accelerating, Europe faces declining market share, prompting urgent calls for policy intervention to restore competitiveness.

chemweek

2026-01-05

New Plastics Europe Leader Urges Policy Measures to Safeguard Industry, Drive Circularity

2026-02-03

Plastics Recyclers Europe urges quick implementation of recycled content definition

2026-05-20

European Circular Plastics Growth Slows Sharply on High Costs, Imports

2026-05-21

Plastics recycling stalls in Europe

European Circular Plastics Growth Slows Sharply on High Costs, Imports

FAQ