PRE tracks plastic recycling technologies in Europe

Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), a Brussels-based organization comprised of more than 200 companies, has launched a comprehensive mapping of plastics recycling technologies across Europe.

The organization says its report provides data and an evidence-driven overview of the current state of European plastic recycling, outlining both existing capabilities and critical gaps. It also is designed to be a strategic resource for the plastic value chain and stakeholders such as brand owners, converters and policymakers.

“This compendium shows how far we have come in our technological developments, but also where further innovation and investments are needed to keep Europe at the forefront of the transition to plastics circularity,” PRE President Ton Emans says.

The report examines mechanical, dissolution and chemical recycling across key material streams, including packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, end-of-life vehicles and building and construction.

“By tracing the journey of plastic waste from collection and sorting to recycling, it delivers a broad and holistic examination of the entire recycling process,” PRE says, adding that the report features a “traffic light system,” which categorizes recycling technologies according to their level of industrial uptake from emerging to widely adopted.

PRE says its findings show that mechanical recycling remains the most established and widely applied technology across Europe. Dissolution sill is emerging as an industrial practice, with most initiatives at pilot or early commercial stages, while the report claims chemical recycling also is progressing toward wider deployment. The report underscores efficient sorting as a key driver of improving overall recycling performance.

The report is based on extensive interviews, data collection, site visits and analysis of literature and patents, according to PRE.

“It is indispensable in guiding informed decision making to improve recyclability, strengthen infrastructure and reduce material losses,” PRE says. “Moreover, the report highlights key technological advancements across Europe and emphasizes the critical role of each step in achieving maximum efficiency and high-quality outputs.”