Modelling plastic flows in the European Union value chain
Material flow analysis of plastic flows at sector and polymer level towards a circular plastic value chain
This study established a top-down mass flow analysis model (MFA) for the value chain of plastics in the EU27 2019, focusing on 9 sectors and 10 polymers. Estimates indicate that 4.46Mt of recycled plastic (i.e., "recyclates") are consumed in the EU27 territory. On average, the EU27 recycling rate was equal to 19%. Losses of plastics mostly occurred during the use phase, amounting to 4% of the total plastic production. The EU27 end-of-life recycling rate was on average equal to 19%. Scenarios for the year 2025 were prepared by following expected trends in the plastic value chain and compared with industry target (such as the Circular Plastic Alliance target of 8.8Mt of recycled plastic consumed in EU27 by 2025). Only when multiple actions are combined (i.e., improved waste collection, waste management, etc.) the 8.8Mt target for would be achieved. In the cases of combined scenarios an estimated total amount of recyclates consumed ranging from 9.11Mt to 11.13Mt could be achieved, resulting in a maximum recyclates consumption rate as high as 35.5% by 2025. Significant efforts are needed to establish a complete overview for multiple sectors and polymers from plastic products manufacturing to plastics end-of-life management and recyclates fate, together with estimates of both losses and mismanaged waste. Considering these key commitments for actions at the EU level, an improvement and rethinking of the plastic value chain is mandatory and should be driven by an up-to-date knowledge of all its many hotspots.
AMADEI Andrea;
ARDENTE Fulvio;
2022-11-18
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC130613
978-92-76-57510-8 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 31242 EN,
OP KJ-NA-31-242-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC130613,
10.2760/66163 (online),
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