The future of plastics recycling

Interview with Olivia Poole, Consultant at AMI, Plastics Recycling World Expo Europe 2024

The Plastics Recycling World Expo Europe took place at the Brussels Expo in Belgium from 11-12 September 2024. Returning for the fourth time, this free-to-attend expo has announced a comprehensive agenda that covers the latest technological innovations, legislative changes and market drivers in the world of plastics recycling. From the diverse array of industry presentations, attendees learnt about the latest advances in mechanical recycling machinery, brand owners’ approach to sustainability, new information about major textiles recycling projects, and emerging additives that promise to improve recyclate quality. PETplanet insider talked to Olivia Poole, Consultant at AMI to hear some more insights!

PETplanet: We are all looking forward to a new edition of the Plastic Recycling World Expo. This year, the event will be held in Brussels for the first time. Why did you decide on a new location? What changes as a result?

Brussels has fantastic transport connections by rail and by air and is easily accessible from major industrial hubs across Benelux, North Rhine-Westphalia, Northern France and beyond. This ensures that global industry experts and stakeholders can conveniently attend, enhancing networking and collaboration opportunities.

One of the world’s 24 Alpha “global cities”, Brussels is home to the European Headquarters of many international materials and manufacturing companies. It is also at the heart of European legislation making it a strategic hub for policies like the Green Deal, Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWR). These regulations are crucial in driving innovations and advancements in plastics recycling technologies.

PETplanet: The event has three different subject areas. In addition to plastics recycling, there are also areas of compounding and extrusion. In which area do you have the largest increase in exhibitors?

The AMI Plastics World Expos have a strong focus on compounding and plastics recycling, reflecting the industry’s increasing emphasis on sustainability and circular economy practices.

At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with leading manufacturers of compounding, recycling, and extrusion equipment, alongside suppliers of various polymers, additives, and related services. There is also a special zone dedicated to polymer testing.

The exhibitor lineup features major companies such as Erema, KraussMaffei Extrusion, Coperion, Vecoplan, and many more. This broad participation showcases the industry’s commitment to addressing the evolving challenges in plastics production and recycling, ensuring a comprehensive and forward-looking experience for all attendees.

PETplanet: In addition to the exhibition, visitors will also have the opportunity to attend expert lectures. There will be presentations on the latest technical developments and challenges on the market in each subject area. What are the hot topics in the field of plastics recycling, what can visitors expect here?

We have an agenda of two full days of presentations and discussions for each of the three expos! For recycling, there is a keynote presentation from the European Commission, looking at calculation of recycled plastic content under the Single-Use Plastic Directive, which is a key element of legislation for chemical recycling technologies in Europe. Nestlé will also outline their approach to sustainability in packaging and I am giving a keynote exploring advancements in mechanical and chemical recycling in Europe. There are also three industry debates looking at the effect of legislation on producers, recyclers and consumers, the changing role of plastics packaging in Europe, and the development of sustainable supply chains and long-term strategies for plastics recycling beyond 2030.

PETplanet: You will offer an AMI area on the topic: Understanding PPWR. What will take place there?

AMI recognises that the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will have a profound impact on the whole plastics value chain, especially for those involved in packaging and recycling. To help the industry stay informed and prepare for these ambitious new targets, AMI has introduced the “Understanding PPWR” zone at the expo. This will feature interviews with our expert consultants on how PPWR will impact their areas of expertise within the supply chain, and their opinions on the regulation and targets. We have compiled clear, concise information to address specific concerns and answer industry PPWR questions.

We are planning to continue to follow PPWR updates after the expo by launching a new area on our website, and release regular newsletters to keep the industry informed with what is going on. We understand how important peoples time is, let us analyse PPWR for you!

PETplanet: The industry is currently facing major challenges: In addition to the changes brought about by EU directives and regulations such as SUP and PPWR, high energy costs, irregularities in the supply chain and material availability are making production and sales more difficult. What are you hearing from the industry?

It is a challenging time for the industry, not just in Europe, caused by several macro-economic factors that continue to have ongoing effects. Some of these, such as the volatile energy costs, may only have short term impacts, while others such as the passing of PPWR, look set to fundamentally and permanently change the rules for packaging in Europe.

Regulatory pressures are driving demand for recyclate in Europe, but fluctuating virgin prices means it is a challenge for recyclers to run profitable businesses. It is a continuing question of how much of a premium processors and end users are prepared to pay compared to virgin material.

At the same time, the petrochemical industry is also going through a transition phase. With the announced closures of crackers in Europe and a shift towards sustainable technologies, the use of pyrolysis or bio-sourced oils as a naphtha equivalent in steam crackers can contribute to company goals for carbon footprint reduction and lower potential carbon tax obligations. European Emissions Trading Systems and the regulatory framework for European carbon pricing will therefore be a driving force for the industry.

PETplanet: Do you have any insight into whether the newly elected EU Parliament will continue to push ahead with its Green Deal plans as before?

As I mentioned above, regulatory pressures are one of the main drivers for recyclate demand in Europe. As target deadlines get closer (2025 is only next year now!), it is more important than ever to commit to sustainability throughout the plastics supply chain, working together to reduce scope 1-3 emissions and reach the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.

Ursula von der Leyen committed to the Green Deal in her re-election speech for the 2024-2029 period and proposed a new target of 90% emissions reduction compared to 1990 by 2040. She also introduced the Clean Industrial Deal, which will direct investments towards infrastructure and industry to support decarbonisation. This is a clear expression of government support, on national & EU level, to restore Europe’s global competitiveness. Furthermore, stronger industrial policy reinforces the Green Deal and will support industry through this transition. The focus now should be on innovations and solutions to meet these goals in the next decades.

PETplanet: Thank you very much for sharing your insides!