Page 57 - Plastics News Issue October 2025
P. 57
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
certain. The list included some projects that DOE delberg Materials, US in Louisiana; and USD 375
said in May it cancelled. million to Eastman Chemical Company in Texas.
The previous cancellations included $331 million Source - indiatoday.in
at an Olefins plant carbon reduction at Exxon's
Baytown, Texas refinery; USD 500 million to Hei-
EUROPE’S PLASTICS SECTOR PLEADS FOR ACTION
AS DOWNTURN DEEPENS
The group argues these trends amount to a
manufacturing recession that threatens Europe’s
position in polymer production and plastic pack-
aging supply chains.
Recycling sector at risk amid policy uncertainty
Recyclers report accelerating plant closures
and stalled investment across mechanical and
chemical recycling, blaming weak demand for
recyclate, low-priced imports and uncertainty
around EU rules for measuring recycled content.
U plastics producers report weaker de- Industry bodies estimate that Europe could lose
mand, falling output, shrinking global share close to 1 million tonnes a year of recycling ca-
Eand tougher exports as energy costs rise pacity by the end of 2025 without corrective
and overseas capacity expands. measures.
Europe’s plastics industry says it is sliding deep- Recent investment pauses by large producers
er into recession and has called on the European underscore the policy risk, stakeholders say.
Union to intervene to prevent more plant clo- What industry wants from Brussels
sures and job losses.
Plastics Europe and allied organisations are
Trade group Plastics Europe warns the sector is pressing for short-term relief on energy and
“on a cliff edge”, citing falling production, shrink- carbon costs, consistent extended producer
ing global market share and weaker recycling responsibility rules, stronger trade defences
economics as energy and feedstock costs stay against under-priced imports and clear, work-
high. able methods for accounting recycled content.
Market pressure and declining output They also want the EU to treat plastics manufac-
Data compiled by the industry show European turing and plastics recycling as strategic indus-
plastics production fell sharply in 2023 and only tries in the wider industrial policy agenda to sta-
inched up in 2024, leaving the region’s share of bilise output and protect jobs across the value
global output down to roughly 12% as Asian ca- chain.
pacity particularly in China expanded. Source – Packaging Gateway
Turnover also declined, reflecting subdued
demand in construction, automotive and con-
sumer goods.
October 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 57
