8 NEWS PETplanet Insider Vol. 26 No. 05/25 www.petpla.net New study reveals progress and challenges in meeting recycled content goals for packaging A new report fromAmeripen, prepared by Circular Matters and funded by PLASTICS’ Recycling is Real initiative, highlights significant progress by consumer-packaged goods (CPG) companies toward recycled content goals in packaging while also exploring critical gaps in infrastructure, collection systems, and supply to meet targets. Following a recent member exclusive release webinar, U.S. Packaging Recycled Content Goals Analysis is now freely available for individuals and organisations to use in sustainability efforts. Success in goals for post-consumer recycled (PCR) content will require coordination across this value chain; understanding where and why challenges may be occurring can provide further insight into effective interventions to ensure success. This new resource provides an update and expands onAmeripen’s 2021 report that explored the relationship between packaging recyclability and recycled content goals, domestic supply, and reprocessing capacity, and what, if any, additional policies or program supports could be supported to close potential gaps. A lot has happened in recycling and packaging since 2021, including new goals, new investment, and increased PCR usage – with this progress, Ameripen and Recycling Is Real felt quantifying impact again would provide value to many stakeholders. The updated U.S. Packaging Recycled Content Goals Analysis is the most comprehensive assessment to date of how voluntary corporate commitments, trade association targets, and state and federal laws align with the current and projected capacity of the U.S. recycling system. The study includes detailed data from 46 CPG companies, state legislation, and national trade associations covering paper, plastic, and aluminium packaging. Key findings include: Progress being made: The average post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in plastic packaging more than doubled (from 5.3% in 2019 to 10.7% in 2023) among companies with stated goals. Supply gaps remain: despite added reclamation capacity, the U.S. will still fall short in meeting 2025 plastics packaging goals, especially for PET, unless collection rates and advanced recycling capabilities increase significantly. State policies are gaining influence: since 2020, at least ten states have enacted laws mandating recycled content in packaging, adding new external pressures across the supply chain. Barriers persist which could benefit from intervention: companies continue to cite limited availability of food-grade PCR, inconsistent material quality, and higher costs compared to virgin resins as primary obstacles. Increased capacity: between the 2021 and 2025 reports, U.S. plastics reclaimers have more than doubled their capacity to supply PCR to the packaging market. The report also cautions against policies that give preferential access to recycled materials, advocating instead for open, competitive markets that balance all end-uses of recovered materials. As pressure mounts to increase the use of recycled content, it is critical to understand how voluntary corporate goals and state legislation align with the realities of U.S. material supply and recycling infrastructure. When informed by objective current data, goals for recycled content in packaging will be more effective and achievable. www.ameripen.org Chinaplas 2025 review Chinaplas 2025 successfully wrapped up on April 18 with 281,206 visitors, an increment of 13.29% compared to Chinaplas 2023 in Shenzhen. Chinaplas 2024 in Shanghai welcomed 321,879 visitors. Among them, visitors from overseas countries and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan region of China rocketed to 68,542, accounting for over 24% of total visitors, a 141.1% increase compared to Chinaplas 2023 held in Shenzhen. This trade fair saw over 4,500 superior plastics and rubber suppliers from 39 countries and regions, more than 3,800 machine exhibits, and over 1,600 raw material suppliers. Numerous trade deals were concluded between distinguished exhibitors and global buyers, proving the trade fair’s 2025 edition an effective sourcing platform that cultivated new partnerships and paved the way for industry growth and success. Showcasing of full industry chain The exhibition released industry breakthroughs of more than 120 global/Asian debut technology projects and brought many new, effective landing solutions for plastics and rubber production. The industry chain in full scope was exhibited – from advanced material innovations, intelligent manufacturing solutions to tried-and-true products, covering automotive, electronics and electric, packaging, medical and healthcare, building materials, new energy, sports and leisure, as well as other downstream applications, catering to diverse needs from various industries and sectors. Concurrent events A series of concurrent events surrounding circular economy were organised and received participants’ support. Over 800 industry elites joined “Plastics Recycling & Circular Economy Conference and Showcase”, where over 60 international experts and leaders of renowned enterprises shared insights on plastics recycling market and technologies contributing to sustainable plastics development. In “Sustainable Plastic Packaging Forum”, experts from prominent packaging institutions and companies addressed the latest solutions and sustainability blueprint from an international perspective, while representatives from renowned brands shared difficulties they faced in daily operations of innovative packaging, realising efficient docking between upstream and downstream of the industry chain. PET food-grade and PE high-quality recycling production lines were demonstrated at “The Plastics Circularity Journey” Production Line Live Demo, showcasing high-value utilisation of plastics recycling. Chinaplas 2026 will be held at National Exhibition & Convention Center (NECC), Hongqiao, Shanghai, PR China on April 21-24, 2026. www.chinaplasonline.com
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