Recycling is a process by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials, or substances, whether for the original or other purposes. There are various benefits of plastic recycling, such as saving natural resources, lowering energy consumption, diverting resources from landfills, reducing the use of crude oil, and saving up to 90% of CO2 emissions. Mechanical recycling and chemical recycling are among the methods used to recycle plastic. Plastic recycling in Europe is growing significantly due to factors such as increased pressure from regulators and consumers to adopt sustainable products, growing investments in plastic recycling, and other factors.
The growing adoption of recycled plastics in the automotive, packaging, and construction industries is driving the demand for recycled plastics in Europe. High amounts of plastic packaging waste generated in European countries offer lucrative opportunities for plastic recycling companies. Recycled plastics are widely used in construction materials such as polyvinyl chloride windows, roofing tiles, fencing, and composites. According to Plastics Europe, in 2020, 45% of post-consumer recycled plastic was consumed by the construction sector in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.
Based on type, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and others. The polypropylene segment accounted for the largest Europe recycled plastics market share in 2022. Increasing application of polypropylene in fiber, film, and sheets and its growing application in the automotive industry drive the demand for recycled polypropylene. It is used in the production of automotive components for lightweight vehicles to increase fuel efficiency of vehicles.
Based on application, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into packaging, automotive, building and construction, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, and others. The building and construction segment accounted for the largest Europe recycled plastics market share in 2022. Rapid technological advancements in the European infrastructure sector with growing demand for sustainable construction boost the use of recycled plastics in building and construction applications. Increasing urbanization due to the growing population is expected to drive the demand for recycled plastics in building and construction in the coming years.
Major primary and secondary sources referred to for preparing this report on the Europe recycled plastics market include paid databases (factiva), publications, hoovers, investor presentations, newsletters, sec archives, annual reports, and other information available in the public domain. Biffa Plc, Remondis SE & Co KG, Veolia Environnement SA, Jayplas Ltd, Plastipak Holdings Inc, Recyclex SA, Enva UK Ltd, Vanden Recycling Ltd, 3P Plast srl, and CY Plastic Recycling are among the players operating in the Europe recycled plastics market.
The Europe recycled plastics market is segmented on the basis of type, source, application, and country. Based on type, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and others. By source, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into residential waste, commercial waste, and industrial waste. By application, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into packaging, automotive, building and construction, electrical and electronics, consumer goods, and others. Based on country, the Europe recycled plastics market is segmented into Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Netherlands, and the Rest of Europe.