Plastic recycling challenge

But also a clear innovation opportunity.

Between 2022 and 2024, growth in European circular plastics production almost came to a standstill.

It dropped from 13.6% growth in 2022 to only 1.2% in 2024.

Circular plastics account for almost 16% of total European plastics production. In the Netherlands, that share is around 11%, meaning virgin plastics still account for most of the market.

Those numbers show that the transition still has a lot of room to grow.

Europe already has strong knowledge in materials, chemistry, process technology and industrial engineering. The Netherlands is still a frontrunner in the recycling of collected and sorted plastic waste, with around 37% being recycled.

Some of the next steps in circular plastics will come from better sorting technologies, more efficient recycling processes, improved material design, smarter additives and scalable ways to turn waste back into valuable raw material.

That makes circular plastics a very practical innovation challenge.
And a field where better technology and cheaper solutions can quickly make a visible difference.