A sustainable circular economy must offer a level playing field for all materials, the Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP) argued. Current market developments caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, in combination with the low price of virgin materials and low oil prices, are putting real pressure on business continuity for many actors in the polyolefin value chain. Across the continent, recyclers are feeling the effects.
The PCEP, a collaborative forum for organisations and stakeholders in the polyolefin value chain, is committed to transforming from a linear to a circular economy. It points to the fact that investment in recycling technologies, and better collection and sorting infrastructure - today - is vital, as the loss of current and future capacity at these key points could slow down the transition to the circular economy. To that end, PCEP is calling for investment decisions taken by Member States, the EU and all economic actors, as part of the EU recovery package to be focused on maintaining the momentum in this area.
According to Mark Vester, chairman of PCEP, the organisation’s members remain fully committed to the transition to a circular economy for polyolefins, with all the activity across the value chain that this entails. “Maintaining healthy waste management and recycling sectors are critical stepping stones towards a more circular plastics value chain. We need to invest in forward looking infrastructure that will accelerate the transition to circularity,” he urged.
“At PCEP we are committed to the transformation to a circular economy by designing out waste, keeping products and materials in use, and increasing the volumes of recycled polyolefins into high-quality new raw materials. Europe is a global leader in the circular transition and we must stand by our convictions in our recovery investment choices,” added PCEP Secretary General Venetia Spencer.