European Union approves new targets for chemical recycling content in plastic bottles, boosting circular economy and sustainability goals.
The European Commission’s Waste Technical Adoption Committee has formally cleared a new implementing decision that broadens the scope of recycling to include chemical recycling methods. The decision also provides detailed guidance on how recycled content in single-use PET beverage bottles should be measured and verified under the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD).
Adopted on February 6, the measure aligns the SUPD’s recycling definition with that of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), particularly in relation to the use of mass-balance accounting. With this clarification, chemically recycled material can now be recognized as valid feedstock when calculating recycled content in beverage bottles.
Industry association Chemical Recycling Europe welcomed the move, stating that recycled-content targets have long lacked a standardized and harmonized calculation method across EU member states. According to the group, the new framework introduces a consistent approach for determining and verifying recycled content.
The decision follows a “fuel-use excluded” methodology for mass-balance calculations, in line with principles outlined in the Waste Framework Directive. Under this system, waste streams diverted for fuel or energy recovery cannot be counted toward recycled content totals.
Despite general industry approval, some chemical recycling stakeholders have expressed concerns. Outi Teräs, Head of Technology Commercialization for Chemical Recycling at Neste, commented that the ruling effectively limits the role of oil refineries in advancing plastics circularity. She further noted that if similar provisions are incorporated into the PPWR, it could restrict efforts to scale up plastic recycling capacity.
The PPWR, which came into force in February 2025 and will become applicable from August, mandates that all packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable or reusable by 2030. It also introduces compulsory recycled-content requirements and other sustainability measures.
Meanwhile, the chemical recycling sector continues to face headwinds. Market participants report weak demand for mixed plastic waste, cautious investment sentiment, and several postponed or cancelled project announcements. Traders indicate that meaningful market improvement may depend on reduced production costs and stronger investment momentum.
According to market data from Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, European mixed plastic waste was assessed at €240 per metric ton on February 9, unchanged compared to the previous month.