Page 63 - Plastics News Issue May 2025
P. 63
PRODUCT NEWS
Member State thus causing differing circum- primary raw materials they cannot be recycled
stances across Europe. Since ITERUM is an ex- indefinitely.
port-oriented company, it follows closely what
control measures and penalties are in place in Although there are major challenges, the benefit
other European countries, especially those with is quite significant as well. Determination of re-
large beverage producers. Even today, many cycled material content as a mandatory require-
countries have failed to introduce specific moni- ment will hopefully clean up the international
toring and penalty mechanisms at national leg- market, thus minimising the uncontrolled spread
islative level to achieve the objectives laid down of primary raw materials from Asian countries.
by European Union law. This also presents an opportunity to reduce de-
pendence on the large oil-producing countries,
Lack of control is not the only challenge. First, which is vital in the current geopolitical situation,
there are high import flows from Asian countries and also to avoid a situation where oil price de-
which not always entails a fair practice. There crease and the resulting price drop of primary
have been several cases in Europe where pel- raw materials would make them a priority for
lets of suspiciously high quality were imported producers. And, of course, the environmental
from China as partly recycled material. It remains benefit represents an invaluable gain. Currently,
difficult to prove fraud due to the lack of tests many producers experiment with the material
that could help clearly determine the exact part content and ITERUM customer network includes
of recycled materials and whether there is evi- those producing bottles from 100% recycled
dence of the use of primary raw materials that materials, thus implementing their sustainability
are sold at a higher price. strategies.
Second, in October Europe introduced the regu- Latvia, as a whole, has made great progress to-
lation which makes the traceability of materials wards improving recycled plastics circulation.
compulsory in the production of food packaging The rapid development of the deposit system
throughout the whole chain that is certified by was a major step forward where active public in-
a special certificate. This regulation, however, is volvement was of major importance: we are now
subject to broad interpretation. As regards ap- among the leaders in Europe in terms of the use
plication thereof, there is no common opinion on of the deposit system and therefore good, high-
the market among various recycling chain par- quality materials that can be recycled effectively
ticipants, market players, even different certifi- are delivered to recyclers. Active involvement of
cation bodies, thus creating unequal conditions Latvia in EU decision-making and a clear regula-
for a number of European participants on the tory framework to ensure actual achievement of
market. Recyclers and producers might be faced the use of the prescribed 25% recycled materi-
by an issue as to whether they are allowed to als and clear penalties for non-compliance are
purchase raw materials outside the Union bor- among things which still have the potential for
ders. It must be recognised that absence of any improvement. As regards the achievement of cli-
primary raw materials and regulated coopera- mate objectives, this is an opportunity for Latvia
tion with suppliers from countries outside the EU to show itself from the good side and to become
is impossible. It is estimated that the maximum an example for the entire Europe even if this is
amount of recycled materials that can be used the case of a small plastics recycling and pro-
in production is below 75% due to a certain life duction industry.
cycle of all polymers, and without addition of
Source – RECYCLING magazine.
May 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 63
