News

Plastics is a worldwide success story, it can save economics and the environment.

 

Global threats and priorities

Opportunities to tackle - breakthrough topics for plastics

1

Climate, +1,5 oC, CO2, methane

CO2 processing – CCS, Super-insulations VIP, Biorafineries

2

Drinking water

Superabsorbers, Micro/nano filters,  Composites

3

Dead oceans – eutrophication with P and N

Recycling of polymers and waste waters, Biopolymers, Superabsorbents

4

Energy, fossil fuels

Polymer electronics, PV, OLED, Functional/response materials, Insulations

5

Food

Intelligent (bio)packaging, Super-barrier films

6

Health, aging, population growth

Implants, 3D-print, Composites

7

Self-sufficient houses

VIP Insulations, Micro/nano foams, Composites, Super-barrier films, Functional/response materials

8

Vehicles

Composites, Nano-foams, Blends, (Blok)copolymers, Integrated injection moulding, PVD, CVD, HVOF

9

Sources, rare metals

Biopolymers, Recycling of cars, EE, magnets, Compoosites

10

Waste

Recycling of polymers, Reactive extrusion, scCO2, Biopolymers

 

European plastics industry

  • Employs 1,5 mill. people in 60.000 companies.
  • Multiplier effect is 2,4 in GDP and 3 in employment.
  • It is among the 5 most innovative sectors.
  • 7,5 mil. tons of plastic waste is recycled.
  • 27,1 mil. tons of plastic waste is collected.
  • Plastic insulation saves 250 times more energy, than it consumes.
  • Reduces hit impacts by 4 times.
  • Processing in the EU amounts to 49,9 mil. tons.
  • Average growth in years 1950-2017 was 8,5 % annually.
  • Continuous growth for over 60 years.
  • Production increased from 1,5 to 348 mil. tons in years 1950 to 2017.
  • Global production increased for 3,8% from 2016 to 2017.

 

Consumption of plastics by countries (Source: PlasticsEurope) 

Consumption of plastics by segments (Source: PlasticsEurope)

Evolution of plastic waste treatment and recycling 2006-2016

 

PLASTICS - data