Plastic scrap not ready for prime time, says group

European plastic converters group says recycled resin supply remains problematic.

The Brussels-based European Plastics Converters (EuPC) organization says its sector is facing “severe shortages of raw materials and extreme price increases” that is challenging the survival of some companies and “endangering the production of countless products, ranging from applications in the building and automotive industry to essential goods for the food packaging and pharmaceutical supply chains.”

While investments in plastic recycling are multiplying in Europe, the EuPC says recycling alone will not be an answer. “In many cases, a switch to recycled material is only feasible to a limited extent,” states the group.

Adds the EuPC, “In several applications, legal safety regulations, technical hurdles, and quality requirements currently prevent the wider use of recycled materials. Especially for the mentioned essential goods.” Secondary resins, says the group, “are not available in sufficient quantities and consistent quality yet.”

Even where recycled-content resins are an option, “prices are rising significantly to parallel virgin material - and availability is declining,” states the EuPC.

Comments EuPC Managing Director Alexandre Dangis, “Manufacturers of plastic products all over Europe are experiencing serious bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials since the beginning of this year.” He cites polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) as markets affected.

Ron Marsh, chairman of the Polymers for Europe Alliance, also based in Brussels, points to the sea container shortage as part of the problem. “The current shortages are caused by the improving global economy in combination with exports of plastics from Europe to Asia and North America,” he comments. “Logistical problems due to a shortage of containers to Europe also contribute.”

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