Page 18 - Plastics News November 2025
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AIPMA - AMTEC AT WORK
representing the MSME and SME base, are dis- Currently, economic considerations have taken
proportionately burdened with EPR (Extended a backseat, undermining entrepreneurial spirit
Producer Responsibility) and related compli- and investment sentiment. The result is stagnant
ance costs under the “Better World for Future” growth, weak machinery demand, and lower
mission. Given their smaller size and limited fi- polymer consumption. If this continues, reces-
nancial flexibility, compliance is challenging. As sionary trends could deepen, putting up to one
the narrative has shifted from 'Plastic is Fantas- million jobs at risk. For a better tomorrow, we are
tic' to 'Plastic is Bad', the younger generation is jeopardizing today—overlooking the economic
increasingly hesitant to continue in family-run consequences in the pursuit of sustainability.
plastic businesses. This sentiment, coupled with
over-regulation, has dampened investment con- Global Perspectives
fidence—stifling growth, innovation, and expan- EU EPR regulations are excessively stringent
sion. and risk damaging industrial competitiveness.
Economic Impact and Industrial Chain Reac- The United States has pragmatically withdrawn
tion from such restrictive measures, even lifting bans
on plastic bags. China, while outwardly support-
This decline in investment among converters ing sustainability, is simultaneously expanding
has led to reduced polymer consumption over its polymer capacity, expected to reach 40% of
the past 5–6 years, forcing polymer plants to global output in the near future.
scale down or close in Europe. As a result, ma-
chinery manufacturers—primarily from Italy and The Real Solution: Responsible Waste Man-
Germany—are witnessing reduced demand and agement
increasing unemployment in their sectors. Thus, The true solution lies not in penalizing industry
despite the noble intent of environmental pro- but in comprehensive waste management and
tection, over-regulation through EPR has led to behavioural transformation. Each nation must
negative economic growth within the plastics take responsibility for its plastic waste—includ-
ecosystem. This is the uncomfortable truth the ing ocean waste—through systematic collection
industry must acknowledge. and processing. Integrated Approach to Waste
Key Observations and Recommendations for Utilization: 1) Mechanical Recycling – to continue
the EU Plastics Industry and expand. 2) Chemical Recycling – to be pro-
moted and incentivized, especially “back-to-oil”
To reinvigorate growth, plastic product convert- technologies. 3) Energy Recovery – incinerate
ers must be freed from excessive EPR compli- non-recyclable waste to generate electricity,
ance, particularly since they already shoulder achieving zero plastic waste. Successful models,
other taxes and obligations. These converters— such as Finland’s advanced waste-to-energy
typically honest, small, family-run enterprises— plants, demonstrate that with proper systems,
are crucial for boosting production, employ- 'villain plastics' cease to exist.
ment, and national GDP.
18 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025
