The plastic industry is an important sector of the European economy. The European plastics demand reached 49.9 million tonnes in 2016 (Plastics Europe), with packaging, building and construction, and automotive markets being the most dominant ones for plastics.
The biggest source of plastic waste is packaging and consequently it makes up 62% of all the collected plastic waste in Europe.
In 2016, out of the 27.1 Mt of plastics waste collected, 8.43 Mt were recycled and 11.27 Mt were incinerated. Recycling and energy recovery rates are increasing, while the share of plastic waste going to landfills is decreasing (Plastics Europe):
- Collected for recycling: 26,3% (2012) vs. 31.1% (2016)
- Energy recovery: 35.8% (2012) vs. 41.6% (2016)
- Landfill: 38.1% (2012) vs. 27.3% (2016)
The market structure of plastics value chain involves raw material producers, machine manufacturers, plastics compounders, plastics converters, brand owners, products distributors, consumers and plastics end-of-life businesses (including plastics recyclers). Most companies focus on one area of activity, though some larger players are involved in several steps.