Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The data presented in this report was collected by PlasticsEurope (the Association of Plastics Manufacturers
in Europe) and EPRO (the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations).
PlasticsEurope’s Market Research and Statistics Group (PEMRG) provided input on the production and
the demand of plastic raw materials. Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH helped assess waste collection
and recovery data. Official statistics from European or national authorities and waste management
organisations have been used for recovery and trade data, where available. Research or expertise from
consultants completed gaps.
Figures cannot always be directly compared with those of previous years due to changes in estimates.
Some estimates from previous years have been revised in order to track progress, e.g. for use and recovery
of plastics across Europe over the past decade.
All figures and graphs in this report show data for EU-28 plus Norway and Switzerland, which is referred to
as Europe for the purposes of abbreviation –other country groups are explicitly listed.
Plastics
2030: The European plastics industry supports the European Commission's strategy for Plastics in
a Circular Economy and is highly committed to accelerate its transformation towards an even
committed more circular and resource efficient plastic economy.
to Since the very beginning, plastic materials were born as a solution for the substitution of scarce
Circularity and non-sustainable resource such as tortoiseshell, ivory or animal bones. Since then, plastics
have shaped the world bringing safety, hygiene, comfort and wellbeing to our society.
Today resource-efficient plastics are present in an infinite range of products and applications
helping us to save energy, CO2 emissions, water and even food. They contribute to circularity,
to health and safety and to mitigate climate change. Without doubt, plastics have shaped our
lives and will shape the future.
Plastics
contribute to:
Circularity Health & safety Mitigate
climate change
However, to make the most of these extraordinary materials, challenges related to the end
of life of certain products - and particularly plastic packaging – still need to be addressed.
PlasticsEurope’s “Plastics 2030” Voluntary Commitment has taken the industry to the next
level of engagement by establishing ambitious targets and initiatives to prevent the leakage
of plastics into the environment; increasing the reuse and recycling of plastic packaging waste
and contributing to resource efficiency benefits.
4 https://www.plasticseurope.org/en/focus-areas/strategy-plastics
Plastics
Marine litter is a global challenge and it is unacceptable
that waste, including plastic waste, ends up in our
do not
environment, our rivers and our oceans. Plastics are belong to
valuable resources that bring numerous benefits to
society by offering sustainable solutions in countless
the oceans
sectors. Whether caused by irresponsible behaviour or
poor waste management practices, it is deplorable that
plastics are littered.
For years, the plastics industry has been engaged PlasticsEurope is also committed to
at a global level in combatting marine litter. prevent pellet loss and is a signatory
PlasticsEurope is a committed signatory to the of the initiative Operation Clean
global Declaration for Marine Litter Solutions for Sweep©, a voluntary programme that
preventing leakage of plastics into environment. promotes proper pellets containment
In the framework of the Global Plastics Alliance along the entire plastics value chain.
(an alliance of 74 plastics associations from This programme is being implemented
around the world) over 355 projects have been across the plastics industry value chain
run or are ongoing in different parts of the in order to avoid plastic pellet spills.
globe to fight this problematic.
www.marinelittersolutions.com www.opcleansweep.eu
5
1
Contribution
to European
society
Key figures
of the JOBS
European Over 1.6 million people
plastics The plastics industry gives direct
TURNOVER
More than 360 billion
euros
The European plastics industry
had a turnover of more than
360 billion euros in 2018
8
TRADE BALANCE
15 billion euros
The European plastics industry
had a positive trade balance of more
than 15 billion euros in 2018
* Data including only plastics raw materials
producers and plastics converters
9
2
Market data
What are We talk about "Plastics" as if it were a
World
2018 359
million tonnes
2017 348
million tonnes
SOURCE: PlasticsEurope
Market Research Group
(PEMRG) and Conversio
Market & Strategy GmbH Includes Thermoplastics, Polyurethanes, Thermosets, Elastomers, Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants
and PP-Fibers. Not included: PET-fibers, PA-fibers and Polyacryl-fibers.
14
CIS Distribution
NAFTA
3% Asia of global
plastics
18% 51%
Europe
17% production
In 2018 China reached
30% of world's plastics
production.
World plastics*
production:
359 million tonnes.
Middle East,
Africa 30% China
7%
Latin 4% Japan
America 17% Rest of Asia
4% SOURCE: PlasticsEurope
Market Research Group
(PEMRG) and Conversio
* Includes Thermoplastics, Polyurethanes, Thermosets, Elastomers, Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants Market & Strategy GmbH
and PP-Fibers. Not included: PET-fibers, PA-fibers and Polyacryl-fibers.
15
Plastics manufacturing
In 2018 Bn €
the industry 30
euros 5
Plastics processing
Bn €
15
10
5.8 bn €
5
16
2018 2018
Extra EU Exports Extra EU Imports
Top Extra
EU trade
partners
in value
In 2018, the USA
Plastics manufacturing Plastics manufacturing was the first trade
12.9% 12.7% 12.2% 23.1% partner of the European
14.7% 11.6% Plastics Industry.
6.6% 6.1% 7.7% 6.6%
Turkey
USA
China
Russia
Switzerland
USA
S. Korea
S. Arabia
China
Switzerland
Plastics processing Plastics processing
15.6% 23.4%
10.2% 9.2% 14.6% 12.3% 11.6%
8.0% 5.9%
5.4%
Turkey
Turkey
USA
Switzerland
China
Russia
USA
China
Switzerland
Japan
SOURCE: Eurostat
17
51.2 M t
European converters demand
Plastics
in 2018 (EU28+NO/CH) 2018 2017 demand by
GERMANY 24.6% countries
ITALY 13.9% 2018
FRANCE 9.4%
SPAIN 7.6% European plastic
UNITED KINGDOM 7.3% converters demand
includes
POLAND 6.8% Countries converting
more than thermoplastics,
3 million tonnes polyurethanes
Belgium & Luxembourg 4.6% and other plastics.
Netherlands 4.3% Does not include:
Czech Republic adhesives, coatings,
Austria paints and varnishes,
Countries converting
less than
PET fibers, PA fibers,
Sweden Bulgaria
0.5 million tonnes PP fibers and
Portugal Ireland
Hungary Norway 80% polyacryl-fibers.
19
6.2 %
Plastics ELECTRICAL
demand & ELECTRONIC
by segment 3.4 %
9.9 %
AUTOMOTIVE
19.8 %
BUILDING &
2018 AGRICULTURE CONSTRUCTION
Distribution of
4.1 %
European (EU28+NO/CH)
HOUSEHOLD,
plastics converters LEISURE
demand by segment & SPORTS
in 2018. Packaging and
Building & Construction
by far represent the largest
end-use markets. 16.7 %
The third biggest end-use OTHERS
Others includes
market is the Automotive appliances, mechanical
engineering, furniture,
Industry. medical etc.
39.9 %
PACKAGING
0 SOURCE: PlasticsEurope
Market Research Group
PP
PS
AN
PA
PC
TP
s
T
ic
PE
PU
PV
EP
M
LL
rE
st
/S
PM
la
he
/P
/P
rp
Market & Strategy GmbH
Ot
AB
D
D
he
-H
-L
Ot
PE
PE
21
19.3% 17.5% 12.2%
Plastics
demand
distribution
by resin
types PP PE-LD / PE-LLD PE-HD / PE-MD
2018 Food packaging, sweet and snack
wrappers, hinged caps, microwave
containers, pipes, automotive parts,
Reusable bags, trays and containers,
agricultural film, food packaging
film, etc.
Toys, milk bottles, shampoo
bottles, pipes, houseware, etc.
6.4% 19%
OTHERS
PS / EPS Hub caps (ABS); optical fibres (PBT);
Food packaging (dairy, eyeglasses lenses, roofing sheets (PC);
fishery), building touch screens (PMMA); cable coating in
SOURCE: PlasticsEurope
insulation, electrical & telecommunications (PTFE); and many
Market Research Group
electronic equipment, others in aerospace, medical implants,
(PEMRG) and Conversio
inner liner for fridges, surgical devices, membranes, valves &
Market & Strategy GmbH
eyeglasses frames, etc. seals, protective coatings, etc.
22
POLYMER
TYPES
Packaging Building & Automotive Electrical Agriculture Household,
Construction & Electronic Leisure
Others Plastics
& Sports
demand by
segments
PE-LD / PE-LLD
PE-HD / PE-MD
and
PP
polymer
PS types
EPS in 2018.
PVC Total
PET
51.2 M t
ABS / SAN Data for EU28+NO/CH.
PMMA
PA
PC
Other
thermoplastics
PUR
SOURCE: PlasticsEurope
Other plastics Market Research Group
(PEMRG) and Conversio
39.9% 19.8% 9.9% 6.2% 3.4% 4.1% 16.7% Market & Strategy GmbH
23
3
From waste
to resource
The life EXPORTS
of converted plastics
EXPORTS
of plastic products
EXPORTS
of other products
cycle of packed in plastics
plastic
products Converters Manufacture
EXPORTS demand of plastic
In order to understand of plastic materials of plastic products
the life cycle of plastic materials
products it is important
to understand that Production
not all plastic products of plastic
materials IMPORTS IMPORTS
are the same and of plastic materials of converted plastics
not all have
the same service life.
Some are a product in itself
(i.e. a bottle) and some are
parts of an end-user
product (i.e. parts of a car
or electronic devices,
insulation for a building,
etc.). At the end of their life,
the end-user products
become waste which is
collected and treated.
26
Some plastic products
have a lifespan of less
Life service than one year, some
of plastic products others of more than
The service life of plastic 15 years and some
products goes from less than have a service life of 50
Consumption 1 year to 50 years or more years or more.
of plastic
products Thus, from production
to waste, different
plastic products show
different uses within
individual value
IMPORTS IMPORTS
of converted of other products chains. Therefore, the
plastics packed in plastics amount of collected
Plastics become plastic waste does not
Plastic
waste at the end necessarily correlate
post-consumer
of their service life with the plastics
waste
demand of the same
generation
year.
RECYCLING
32.5%
COLLECTED NON
waste collected waste*
ENERGY
LANDFILL
RECOVERY Data for EU28+ NO/CH
24.9%
42.6% SOURCE: Conversio Market
& Strategy GmbH
* Littering and unauthorised dumping
27
+19% 29.1 M t
Since 2006, 100% +77% -44% 24.5 M t
(2018)
of plastic
waste sent Collected plastic
post-consumer waste
to recycling
has doubled 2006-2018 evolution of plastic post-consumer
Mt waste treatment (EU28+NO/CH)
CAGR*
However, 25% of plastic 15 development
post-consumer waste 2018 vs. 2016
was still sent to landfill 12.9
12.5 12.4 4.8%
in 2018.
10 9.4 5.7%
7.5 -1.1%
7.0 7.2
5 4.7
2.5
0
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
14
16
18
SOURCE: Conversio Market
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
collected plastic
post-consumer
42.6% Energy recovery
EU28+NO/CH
in order to be treated.
Plastic waste exports
waste
outside the EU have
decreased by 39% from
2016 to 2018.
24.9%
Landfill
SOURCE: Conversio Market
& Strategy GmbH
29
Plastic post-consumer waste rates of recycling, energy recovery
and landfill per country in 2018 Zero
landfilling
Switzerland
Austria is needed
Netherlands
Germany Countries
to achieve
Luxembourg
Sweden
with landfill
restriction
the circular
Finland
Belgium
implemented
economy
Denmark
Norway
of plastics
Estonia
Ireland Countries with landfill
UK
restrictions of recyclable
Slovenia
France and recoverable waste
Italy have, on average,
Portugal higher recycling rates of
Spain
Lithuania plastic post-consumer
Czechia waste.
Poland
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania Recycling
Latvia
Croatia
Energy
recovery
Bulgaria
Cyprus Landfill
Greece
Malta SOURCE: Conversio Market
& Strategy GmbH
20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
31
+19% 17.8 M t
Since 2006, +92% +84% -54% 14.9 M t
(2018)
of plastic
post- Collected plastic post-
consumer packaging waste
consumer CAGR**
packaging Mt
2006-2018 evolution of plastic PACKAGING*
waste treatment (EU28+NO/CH)
development
waste sent 8
2018 vs. 2016
to recycling 7.2
7.5
7
4.6%
4.1%
has 6
increased
by 92%
4 3.9
2018 data show a positive 3.8 3.3 -1.2%
trend for recycling,
however more than 18%
2
of the waste is still sent
to landfill.
0
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
14
16
18
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
Energy recovery
18.5%
Landfill
SOURCE: Conversio Market
& Strategy GmbH
*From household, industrial and commercial packaging
33
More than Plastic PACKAGING recycling
half of the rates across Europe
34
Plastic PACKAGING* recycling rate** per country in 2018
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Plastic
Czechia
Spain
Recycling rates of packaging
Netherlands [1]
Germany
plastic packaging
waste in Europe range recycling
Estonia between 26% and
Norway 52%. This wide range The new Directive (EU)
Sweden
can be explained by 2018/852 on Packaging
Latvia
differences in collection and Packaging Waste
Italy
UK schemes, available sets higher recycling
Lithuania
infrastructure and targets per material (50%
Slovakia
consumer behaviour. for plastic packaging by
Slovenia
Belgium On average, the 42% 2025 and 55% by 2030),
Luxembourg recycling of plastic together with a new
Portugal
packaging represents calculation method of
Romania
an increase of recycling performances.
Switzerland
Cyprus 1.2 points versus 2016, This new method will start
Poland
in particular thanks to be applicable for data
Bulgaria of the year 2020.
Austria
to improved waste
Denmark collection.
Malta
Ireland Mechanical
Croatia EU 28+2 recycling
Greece packaging
Chemical
recycling rate:
Hungary recycling
France
42%
[1] 2017 figure
Finland
SOURCE: Conversio Market
* From household, industrial and commercial packaging & Strategy GmbH
** According to the current calculation methods established in Directive 94/62/EC
35
4
Snapshot
and outlooks
In 2019,
the negative
trend for
plastics Plastic and rubber machinery
in primary Plastics in primary forms
forms and Plastic products
rubber 130
machinery
continued 120
recovered 90
02
03
04
05
06
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
18
19
07
17
SOURCE: Eurostat
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
38
Estimated growth rate:
The
2019: -5.0%
declining
2020: -0.5% growth
from the
Production primary plastics previous
Average annual index estimates year
120
continues
in 2019
110 Production of primary
plastics, EU28.
Index 2015=100
100 on a quarterly basis;
seasonally and working
day adjusted;
90
annual average.
80
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
SOURCE: Eurostat
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
39
Glossary of terms
ABS Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin PEEK Polyetheretherketone
ASA Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate resin PE-HD Polyethylene, high density
bn Billion PE-LD Polyethylene, low density
CH Switzerland PE-LLD Polyethylene, linear low density
CIS Commonwealth of Independent States PE-MD Polyethylene, medium density
Conversio Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH PEMRG PlasticsEurope Market Research Group
EU European Union PET Polyethylene terephthalate
EPRO European Association of Plastics Plastic materials Thermoplastics + Polyurethanes
Recycling and Recovery Organisations PMMA Polymethyl methacrylate
EPS Polystyrene, expandable POM Polyoxymethylene
ETP Engineering Thermoplastics PP Polypropylene
GDP Gross domestic product PS Polystyrene
kt Kilotonnes PTFE Polytetrafluoroethylene
M t Million tonnes PUR Polyurethane
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement PVC Polyvinyl chloride
NO Norway SAN Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer
Other plastics Thermosets, adhesives, coatings Thermoplastics Standard plastics (PE, PP, PVC, PS, EPS,
and sealants PET [bottle grade]) + Engineering plastics
PA Polyamides (ABS, SAN, PA, PC, PBT, POM, PMMA,
PBT Polybutylene terephthalate Blends, and others including High
Performance Polymers)
PC Polycarbonate
Thermosets Urea-formaldehyde foam, melamine resin,
PE Polyethylene
polyester resins, epoxy resins, etc.
PlasticsEurope is one of the leading European trade associations with centres in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Madrid,
Milan and Paris. We are networking with European and national plastics associations and have more than 100 member
companies, producing over 90% of all polymers across the EU28 member states plus Norway, Switzerland and Turkey.
The European plastics industry makes a significant contribution to the welfare in Europe by enabling innovation,
creating quality of life to citizens and facilitating resource efficiency and climate protection. Over 1.6 million people are
working in close to 60,000 companies (mainly small and medium sized companies in the converting sector)
to create a turnover of more than 360 bn EUR per year.
PlasticsEurope AISBL. Rue Belliard 40, box 16. 1040 Brussels – Belgium. @PlasticsEurope
info@plasticseurope.org | www.plasticseurope.org | www.plastics-themag.com /plasticseurope
EPRO is a pan-European partnership of specialist organisations that are able to develop and deliver efficient solutions
for the sustainable management of plastic waste, now and for the future. EPRO members are working to optimise
national effectiveness through international co-operation: by studying successful approaches, evaluating different
solutions and examining obstacles to progress. By working together EPRO members can achieve synergies that will
increase efficient plastics recycling and recovery. Currently 25 organisations from 18 European countries plus Canada,
South Africa and New Zealand are represented in EPRO.
carbon neutral
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