A Rethink for Europe’s Plastics

Europe pushes chemical recycling forward even as projects shift and policy questions linger

19 Nov 2025

Europe’s push to clean up its plastics economy has entered a delicate phase. Chemical recycling, once dismissed as an expensive sideshow, is edging into official circularity plans. Interest is rising, yet delivery remains uneven, creating a mix of bold promises and frequent course corrections.

A new project map captures the mood. It lists more than 65 planned facilities across the region, a show of intent. Only a few operate today, held back by slow permits, technical setbacks and policies that differ across borders. The gap between ambition and output is still large.

Corporate enthusiasm endures, though it has grown more selective. Several high-profile ventures have been revamped or abandoned. Borealis has shifted more towards advanced mechanical recycling, hinting at a wider rethink of its circular materials strategy.

Dow says brands want sustainable plastics that perform like the fossil-based versions they replace. A company spokesperson called advanced recycling essential for plastics that resist mechanical processing, adding that quality remains the deciding factor for customers.

Trade bodies insist the sector is at a turning point. Chemical Recycling Europe argues that advanced methods are becoming realistic for waste streams mechanical plants cannot handle. Analysts expect Europe will need a mix of recycling routes to meet climate goals, secure feedstocks and cut reliance on fossil inputs.

Regulation is the biggest obstacle. EU policymakers are still debating how to classify chemical recycling outputs and how to count them towards recycled content targets. Green groups want clear limits. Industry warns that shifting definitions could chill investment just as momentum builds.

Europe’s plastics system is being rewritten in real time. If technology improves and rules become clearer, chemical recycling could claim a central role in a more circular and more competitive materials economy.