Plastics Recyclers Europe released first plastic recycling technologies mapping in Europe

Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) launched the first comprehensive mapping of plastics recycling technologies across Europe. This landmark publication provides data and an evidence-driven overview of the current state of European plastic recycling, outlining both existing capabilities and critical gaps.

It acts as a strategic resource for the plastic value chain and stakeholders such as brand owners, converters, and policymakers, supporting informed action at every level. “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,” said Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe.

The report examines mechanical, dissolution, and chemical recycling across key waste 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. A unique feature of the report is its traffic light system, which categorises recycling technologies according to their level of industrial uptake from emerging to widely adopted.

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