Page 55 - Plastics News March 2026
P. 55
BUSINESS NEWS
in July 2025 that the original SUPD text did not There are also concerns from EU-based brands
allow for imports to count to the 25% target. and fast-moving consumer goods companies
(FMCGs) that excluding imports from the target
The Implementing Decision also sets out the could cause a spike in demand and prices.
EU’s position on mass balance accounting which
many in the chemical recycling industry have In 2022, Europe’s (EU 27 + 3) recycling and food-
been waiting to be published for several years. grade extrusion capacity was sufficient to meet
the 2025 25% target if all brands were using 25-
This Implementing Decision now clarifies the sta- 30% recycled content. However, if rPET demand
tus of rPET imports in regards to the 25% target increases suddenly before 21 November 2027
which has been the subject of debate for several there may not be enough EU-produced material
years.
to meet all demand needs.
Reaction from European recyclers to the delay The rPET market is looking to keep inventory
has been positive overall as they hope it will re- levels down in the current muted demand envi-
duce competition from lower-priced imported ronment and availability may be put under pres-
material that has been one of several factors im- sure as domestic recyclers ramp up production
pacting rPET prices in recent months.
to meet demand. During 2026 and 2027, the
But producers of rPET flakes and food-grade European PET recycling market is expected to
pellets (FGP) outside the EU will not welcome see six projects increasing the region’s recycling
the delay, especially in countries like Turkey capabilities by around 200,000 tonnes/year.
where a growing number of recyclers have ac- In addition, some brands already incorporate
quired RecyClass A1 and/or A2 certificates in or- more than the mandatory 25% rPET in their
der to serve the EU market.
beverage bottles and this may leave a shortfall
FGP imports from India and southeast Asia con- for those brands who are yet to meet the 25%
tinue to be offered to European buyers on a reg- requirement. Plus, demand from other end use
ular basis despite the current low demand levels markets such as thermoforming or household
in Europe, and this clarification on the status of products and cosmetics who use food-grade
imports may deter some European buyers from rPET in packaging applications may also reduce
using imports. the amount of EU-produced food-grade rPET
available to the beverage bottle sector before
There is a possibility that Indian imports may November 2027.
slow as the Indian rPET outlook turns more ro-
bust amid growing efforts by the government This new Implementing Decision repeals Imple-
to enforce India’s 30% plastic recycling mandate menting Decision (EU) 2023/2683 and will enter
for rigid packaging in force from 1 April 2025. into force on the twentieth day following that of
its publication in the Official Journal of the Euro-
It is still worth noting that imports from non-EU pean Union.
recyclers still need to comply with Regulation
(EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastic intended to Source – Recycling magazine
come into contact with food if it is to be used in
a beverage bottle.
March 2026 PLASTICS NEWS 55
