Collaborating for a greener EU

Presenters at PRSE 2024 were selected to ensure representation of the entire value chain, including raw material producers, recyclers, and brand owners. 

Yvonne van Veen, Head of Advocacy, INEOS Styrolution, was a panelist in the session ELV (End-of life vehicles) & WEEE (waste electrical & electronic equipment) recycling. She was joined by Delphine Largeteau from Schneider Electric and Ana Rita Carvalho Neiva from Coolrec Plastics, with Tom Caris, also from Coolrec Plastics, moderating the session.

The panel discussion covered topics ranging from insufficient waste collection and separation to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and acceptance of all recycling technologies. 

The three panellists emphasised the significance of the circular economy, viewing plastic waste as a valuable resource, and advocating for mandatory recycled content in products. They shared critical market observations and discussed the challenge of achieving fossil-feedstock quality in recycled materials, noting that reaching a target of 30% recycled content (which would require approximately 75 kilotonnes of recycled ABS) by 2030 is currently unattainable due to insufficient capacity, lack of enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and continued leakage of feedstock outside Europe.

Yvonne took the opportunity to showcase our strengths in research and development, emphasising our capability to develop high-quality materials with recycled content. She stressed that beyond expanding cooperation, there is a crucial need to develop the market together, fostering collaboration across the entire value chain.

Delphine from Schneider Electric provided insights from a brand owner's perspective, acknowledging the difficulties in convincing customers to pay a premium for products with recycled content. This discussion highlighted the broader issue of material specifications, where recycled materials often struggle to meet the standards of virgin materials.

Audience questions reflected a keen interest in the role of advanced recycling as a necessary complement to mechanical recycling, particularly for materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators—a sensitive topic among mechanical recycling proponents. There was also a consensus on the need for EU support to develop the market for hybrid materials, made by combining post-consumer recyclate (PCR) with virgin materials (such as our line of recycled ECO products). This combination enhances the material's properties, such as strength, flexibility, or heat resistance, making them suitable for a wider range of applications.

CLOSE COLLABORATION REQUIRED

Interestingly, there seemed to be a disconnect between the audience and the brand owners. This underscores the industry's belief that successful recycling initiatives require close collaboration with polymer producers. 

By fostering closer partnerships, we want to ensure that recycling efforts are not only effective but also aligned with the evolving expectations and needs of consumers. This collaborative approach is essential for driving innovation and achieving long-term sustainability goals across the industry, ensuring that both environmental and economic objectives are met.