Thanks to the deep industrial base of the European plastic recycling industry and the emphasis on environmental protection, Europe's recycled plastic equipment technology level is world-renowned, and the installed capacity of plastic recycling is also steadily improving. According to the latest report of the European Plastics Recycling Association (PRE), in 2022, the total installed capacity of plastic recycling in Europe will reach 12.5 million tons, although the growth rate has declined year-on-year, but it also maintains 10%.
In addition to advanced recycled plastic equipment technology, the EU's policy in the plastic recycling industry is also forward-looking, especially in the recycling of plastics at the same level. For example, in the area of plastic packaging, the EU's proposal for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is currently in the negotiation stage, setting minimum content requirements for recycled plastics by 2030; There have also been new developments in the recycling of automotive plastics, with new proposals for the EU's Vehicle Scrapping and Recycling Regulation (ELV) increasing the use of recycled materials in new cars. These policies and regulations will provide impetus for the development of a circular economy for plastics in Europe and globally.
However, the plastic recycling industry in Europe also faces some challenges in 2023. According to the European Plastics Recycling Association (PRE), the entire European plastic recycling market will be severely disrupted in 2023. Recycled plastic prices fell by 50%, especially in the field of PET recycling, Europe is facing a "serious" situation, Europe's recycled PET imports increased by 20%, resulting in a sharp drop in demand for locally produced recycled PET, production decreased by 10%.
Chinese companies are developing strong momentum in the field of food contact with recycled plastics
Under the global wave of environmental protection, the development of China's plastic recycling industry is becoming increasingly hot, especially in the field of food contact recycled materials, and new breakthroughs and progress continue to emerge. On January 12, 2024, at the seminar on the progress of food contact materials regulations in 2024, the relevant person in charge of the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center said that the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center is currently actively carrying out basic research related to recycled plastics, as well as improving risk management measures and other work.
In this field, Chinese enterprises have made some progress. Veolia Huafei, Zhejiang Lifu, Guangxi Wuzhou Guolong, Jiangsu Xavier, Shanghai Ruiju, Jinfa Technology, Jiangsu Pepu Polymer and other enterprises have obtained the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) certification, actively promote the application of recycled plastics in the global food contact field.
Global brands actively participate in the recycling of plastic packaging
As one of the main sources of plastic waste, post-consumer plastic packaging waste has been the focus of plastic recycling and circular economy worldwide. Because of its huge potential value and environmental impact, the development of this field has always attracted the attention of the world.
In 2023, the EU further advanced the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposal, which proposed new regulations on the proportion of recycled plastic in packaging. The PPWR sets minimum content requirements for recycled plastic by 2030:30% recycled plastic in contact-sensitive packaging made of PET (except for single-use beverage bottles), and 7.5% recycled plastic in contact-sensitive packaging made of plastics other than PET (including plastic packaging for food contact).
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