Over 120 companies urge EU to keep PPWR regulation on schedule for circular plastics value chain

EUROPE – More than 120 companies and trade bodies including Amcor, Aldi, Ikea, and Plastics Recyclers Europe have called on the EU to keep the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation on course, ensuring timely implementation.

The appeal was made in a letter addressed to the presidents of the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the European Council. 

The signatories stated that the rules should help maintain “a strong, competitive, and sustainable circular plastics value chain in Europe”. 

The letter says the regulation was agreed through the Ordinary Legislative Procedure with stakeholder involvement, which the signatories regard as giving it both political legitimacy and technical credibility. 

The signatories are prepared to work with EU institutions to help ensure the PPWR meets its aims.

Why the PPWR Faces Pressure

The PPWR, adopted in 2024, sets binding targets for packaging recyclability, recycled content, and reuse. 

Key requirements include: all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable by 2030; plastic packaging must contain minimum recycled content (e.g., 35 percent for contact-sensitive packaging by 2030); and certain packaging formats must be reusable (e.g., 20 percent of takeaway beverage cups by 2030). 

Implementation requires detailed secondary legislation that specifies test methods, calculation rules, and compliance criteria. 

Industry has been concerned that delays in this secondary legislation would leave packaging converters uncertain about how to comply, even as the 2030 deadlines approach.

Geopolitical and Economic Context

The group pointed to pressure on European industry from geopolitical tensions, changing trade policies, and higher energy and raw material costs. 

In that context, they said the priority should be an orderly move to the new regime. 

The letter read that this is particularly important in light of the current global context, marked by geopolitical tensions, evolving international trade measures, and increased cost pressures on energy and raw materials, all of which are already placing significant strain on European industry. 

To achieve that, the signatories called for secondary legislation that is grounded in evidence and prepared with contributions from industry and technical experts. 

They added that the rules should take account of current market conditions, technological developments, and broader EU policies such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal.

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