Compelling Facts About Plastics 2007
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Transcript of Compelling Facts About Plastics 2007
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The Compelling Facts About Plastics 2007An analysis of plastics production, demand and recovery for 2007 in EuropePublished in October 2008
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• Methodologyandchanges page 4
• �007–Ataglance page 5
•Plasticsprotecttheclimate,boostresourceefficiencyandgiveusasaferlife page 6
•Productionofandmarketdemandforplasticsinaglobalcontext page 8
•ProductionanddemandinEU�7+NO/CH page 9
•ConverterDemandperpolymerandapplication page �0
•ArevisedWasteFrameworkDirective(WFD)pavingthewayfora page ��
resourceefficientEurope
•Plasticscontributeinmanywaystosustainableuseofresources page ��
•Biobased&BiodegradablePlastics:“Bioplastics” page ��
•Plasticssupplychainfromcradletocradle page �4
•Plasticscontinuetodecouplegrowthindemandandmaterialtolandfill page �5
•Slowprogresstowardsdiversionfromlandfill page �6
•Trendsinrecycling page �7
-Plasticbottlesaresuitableforrecycling page �7
-RecyclingofPVCreaches�50,000tonnesayear page �8
•PackagingRecyclingBeyondtheBottle page �9
•Trendsinenergyrecovery page �0
•PlasticProducts,ApplicationsandGoods–enablersofinnovationinsociety page ��
•Recoverytrendsbyapplication page ��
•Whoarewe? page ��
Tableofcontents
Methodologyandchanges
Thisbrochureon�007production,demandandrecoveryis
theeighteenthannualpublicationbythemanufacturersof
plasticsinEuropeandpartners.
Thepurposeofthisbrochureistoprovideanoverviewof
thedevelopmentofplasticsfromproduction,overtheir
useinawidevarietyofapplicationstotheprogressmade
torecovertheplasticsattheirend-of-lifephase.
PlasticsEurope’sMarketResearchandStatisticsGroup
(PEMRG)providedtheinputonproductionofanddemand
fortheplasticsrawmaterials.
Thedatafortheend-of-lifephasewascollectedina
plasticsvaluechainpartnershipinvolvingPlasticsEurope,
EuPC(theEuropeanPlasticsConverters),EuPR(the
EuropeanPlasticsRecyclers)andEPRO(theEuropean
AssociationofPlasticsRecyclingandRecovery
Organisations).
ConsulticMarketing&IndustrieberatungGmbHhas
complementedtheworktoassessthewastegeneration
andrecoverydataforEU�7+NO/CH.
Forrecoverydata,officialstatisticshavebeenused
wheneveravailablefromEuropeanornationalauthorities
andwastemanagementcompaniesororganisations.
Whererequiredresearchorknowhowfromconsultants
hasbeenusedtocompletethepicture.
Thefigurescannotalwaysbedirectlycomparedtothose
publishedearlierduetochangesintheestimatesofboth
marketdemandandthewastegenerated.However,the
overalldifferencesaresmallandarevisionofearlier
estimateshasbeenmadetoenablethehistoricalprogress
tobetrackedofboththeuseandrecoveryofplastics
acrossEuropeduringthelastdecade.Thecountries
coveredbythisdatachangestofollowEUenlargement,
henceRomaniaandBulgariaareincludedfrom�007
onwards.Whenmakingpercentagecomparisonswith
�006thisisdonebyincludingthesetwocountries
althoughtheywerenotincludedinthe�006report.
Also,asmanyfiguresaretheresultofassessments
applyingthesamedefinitionsacrossEU�7+NO/CHthey
candeviatefromcorrespondingnumbersquotedbyother
sources,astheymayusedifferentdefinitionsorhave
madealternativeassessments.
4
EuropeanPlasticConverters
�007–Ataglance
Plastics continue to be a global success story with Europe (EU27+Norway (NO) and Switzerland (CH)) remaining a major manufacturing region, producing about 25% of the total estimated worldwide plastics production of 260 million tonnes.
For the whole of the plastics industry – producers, convertersand machinery manufacturers – the overall turnover in EU27+NO/CH 2007 was in excess of 300 billion euro, with the industry employing more than 1.6 million people.
The demand by converters for plastics in Europe (EU27+NO/CH) increased from 51 million tonnes in 2006 to 52.5 million tonnes in 2007, an increase of 3%.
The recovery rate of post-consumer end-of-life plastics now stands at 50% in EU27+NO/CH (up 1% point on the previous year) and disposal stands at 50% (down by 1% point compared to 2006). The recycling rate for post-consumer plastics has increased to 20.4% - up from 19.5% in 2006. Energy recovery remains unchanged at 29.2%.
Nine of the EU27+NO/CH states recover more than 80% of their used plastics – one more than last year (Norway). 7 of these states are among the top 8 best performers for recycling and together they represent the top 9 states for energy recovery. Their performance is achieved by adopting an integrated resource management strategy incorporating a range of complementary options, addressing different streams with the best environmental and economic option for each one.
The decoupling in EU27+NO/CH of the growth in used plasticsand the volume of plastics waste going to disposal continued. Used plastics going to disposal remained stable at 12.4 million tonnes/year against a growth in plastics use of 3%.
5
6
Plasticsplayasignificantroleacrosstheenvironmental,
societalandeconomicdimensionsofsustainable
development.Ourmodernlifestylewouldnotbepossible
withoutplastics.Plasticsmeetthedemandsofsociety
byenablingtheeco-efficientmanufactureofnumerous
valuableproductssuchasprotectivepackaging,lightweight
andsafetycomponentsincars,mobilephones,insulation
materialsinbuildings,medicaldevices,andkeycomponents
forapplicationsasdiverseasrenewableenergyproduction
andprotectioninextremeconditions.
Climate protection
Incars,around60%byweightoftheplasticsusedenhance
comfortandsafetywhile40%areusedinapplications
contributingtoweightreduction,resultinginconsiderable
fuelsavingsandareductioninCO�emissions.Theweight
reductionenabledbytheplasticinamoderncarsavesover
500loffueloveritslifetime.
InanAirbus�80,highperformanceplasticcomposites
reducethepassengercostperseatthroughlowerweight
andconsequentlylowerfuelconsumption.
Homesandbuildingsarekeptwarm(orcool!)byplastics
insulation.Withabout40%ofallprimaryenergyconsumed
globallyusedinbuildings,optimuminsulationhasbecome
oneofthepriorityinitiativestoreachtheKyototargets.
Anincreasinguseoflightweightplasticspackagingreduces
boththeweightofthetransportandtheproportionof
thepackagedgoodsthatarewasted–bothofwhichreduce
CO�emissions.
Plasticsenabletherotorsinwindturbinestobelonger
andmoreeffectiveandcomponentsinphotovoltaicpanels
toincreasetheirefficiency.
Resource efficiency
Withoutplasticspackaging,ithasbeenestimatedthatthe
tonnageofalternativepackagingmaterialswouldincrease
byafactorof4,emissionsofgreenhousegasesbyafactor
of�,costsbyafactorof�.9,energyusebyafactorof�.5,
andwastebyafactorof�.6involume.Allthesefactors
arebasedonthecurrentsituation.Withtheuseofplastics
expectedtocontinuetoincreaseinthefuturetheeffectwill
bebiggeryear-by-year.
Inaddition,plasticspackagingsavesresourcesby
protectingfoodinitsjourneyfromfarmtosupermarket
andintoourkitchens.Thiscanbeillustratedinanumberof
ways:inthedevelopingworld50%offoodiswastedfrom
farmtokitchen;oncetheyhavereachedthesupermarket
loosely-packedfruitsandvegetablescreate�6%more
wastecomparedtopre-packedproduce;�.5gofplastics
filmextendstheshelflifeofacucumberfrom�to�4days.
Some�0gofmultilayerfilminaMAP(modifiedatmospheric
packaging)packageformeatextendstheshelflifefroma
fewdaystomorethanaweek.TheamountofCO�usedto
produceasingleportionofmeatisabout�00timesbigger
thanthatusedtoproducethemultilayerfilm.
Innovativedesignusesplasticsfortheouterdrumof
washingmachines,reducingbothwaterandenergy
consumption.
Plasticsprotecttheclimate,boostresource
efficiencyandgiveusasaferlife
Plasticpipescansecuresafe,leak-freeandefficient
transportofdrinkingwaterandsewagewithoutwastingor
contaminatingthisincreasinglyscarceresource.
Plastics give us a safer life
Plasticsprotectusfrominjuryinnumerousways,whether
weareinthecar,workingasafirefighterorskiing.
Airbagsinacararemadeofplastics,thehelmetandmuch
oftheprotectiveclothingforamotorcyclistisbasedon
plastics,anastronaut’ssuitmustsustaintemperatures
from-�50degreesCelsiusto+��0degreesandthe
fire-fightersrelyuponplasticsclothingwhichprotects
againsthightemperatures,ventilatesandareflexibleto
workin.
Plasticssafeguardourfoodanddrinkfromexternal
contaminationandthespreadofmicrobes.Plastics
flooringandfurnitureareeasytokeepcleantohelp
preventthespreadofbacteriaine.g.hospitals.
Inthemedicalareaplasticsareusedforbloodpouches
andtubing,artificiallimbsandjoints,contactlenses
andartificialcornea,stitchesthatdissolve,splintsand
screwsthathealfracturesandmanyotherapplications.
Incomingyearsnanopolymerswillcarrydrugsdirectly
todamagedcellsandmicro-spiralswillbeusedtocombat
coronarydisease.Artificialbloodbasedonplasticsis
beingdevelopedtocomplementnaturalblood.
7
8
Atrackrecordofcontinuousinnovationhasdrivenaglobal
averageincreaseinproductionandconsumptionofabout
9%everyyearsince�950.Fromaround�.5milliontonnes
in�950,thetotalglobalproductionofplasticsgrewto
�60milliontonnesin�007asshowninFigure�.
Ananalysisofplasticmaterialsconsumptiononaper
capitabasisshowsthatthishasnowgrownto
approximately�00kginNAFTAandWesternEurope,with
thepotentialtogrowtowards�40kgpercapitaby�0�5.
Thehighestpotentialforgrowthcanbefoundinthe
rapidlydevelopingpartsofAsia(excludingJapan),where
currentlythepercapitaconsumptionisonlyaround�0kg.
IntheEuropeancontext,itisthenewMemberStates
whichareexpectedtoseethebiggestpercentageincrease
astheireconomiesdevelop.Theircurrentaverageper
capitaconsumption,between50and55kg,isalittlemore
thanhalfofthatoftheoldMemberStates(Figure�).
Productionofandmarketdemandforplasticsinaglobalcontext
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Mio t
1950: 1.5
Europe(WE + CEE)
2007:651976: 50
1989: 100
2002: 200
2006: 245
World
2007: 260
Includes Thermoplastics, Polyurethanes, Thermosets, Elastomers, Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants and PP-Fibers. Not included PET-, PA- and Polyacryl-Fibers
Figure�.WorldPlasticsProduction�950-�007
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
1980 2005 CAGR in % 2005 - 2015e2015eTotal World
4.3%
45
11
30
4.1 %
Western Europe
3.2 %
Central Europe + CIS
7.3 %
Latin America
4.3%
Middle East / Africa
4.1%
Japan
1.9 %
Asia w/o Japan
6.0 %
139
105
46
32
7
136
99
40
1610
3
3620
2
48
24
9
10889
50
21
NAFTA
2.8 %
Figure�.Plasticdemandbyconverterspercapitaperregion
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
EU�7+NO/CHrepresent�5%oftheglobalplastic
productionwithabout65milliontonnes/year,slightly
aboveNAFTAat��%.WithinEurope,theplasticproduction
facilitiesarewellspread.Germanyisthemajorproducer,
accountingfor7.5%ofglobalproduction,followedby
theBenelux(4.5%),France(�%),Italy(�%)andthe
UKandSpain(�.5%)(Figure�).
PlasticsdemandbyconvertersinEU�7+Norwayand
Switzerlandwas5�.5milliontonnesin�007.Thedemand
expressedastonnageofvirginresinprocessedby
EuropeanconvertersbycountryisshowninFigure4.
ThemajorcountriesareGermanyandItaly,whichtogether
accountforaround40%oftheEuropeanconversionto
plasticproducts.OfthenewMemberStates,Polandhas
thehighestplasticconversion,currentlyatabout�.�5m
tonnesoftheEuropeantotal.TheCzechRepublicand
Hungaryareeachatabouthalfthislevel.Itisexpected
thattheconvertingindustriesinmostofthenewMember
Stateswillgrowstronglyinthecomingyears.
ProductionanddemandinEU�7+NO/CH
140
625
5350
12250
865
880
330
8315
190
240
10
2010
2350
825
645
365
210
4785
880
4350
275
890
Figure�.WorldPlasticsProduction�007
Figure4. Plasticdemandbyconverters:breakdownbycountryin
Europe(ktonnes/year)
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
9
Therearearoundtwentydistinctgroupsofplastics,each
withnumerousgradesavailabletoenabletheoptimum
choicetobemadeforeachspecificapplication.
Therearefivehigh-volumefamiliesofplastics.Theseare
polyethylene(includinglowdensity(LDPE),linearlow
density(LLDPE)andhighdensity(HDPE)),polypropylene
(PP),polyvinylchloride(PVC),polystyrene(solidPS
andexpandableEPS)andpolyethyleneterephthalate
(PET).Togetherthebig5accountforaround75%ofall
plasticsdemandinEurope.During�007,alloftheabove
experiencedgrowthindemandintherangeof0.5to
7.5%-withanaverageof�%(Figure5).
Packagingremainsthebiggestend-useforplasticsat�7%
followedbyBuildingandConstructionat��%.Automotive
andElectrical&Electronicuse8%and6%respectively.
Finallymedical,leisureandotherapplicationsuse�8%
(Figure6).
ConverterDemandperpolymerandapplication
Figure6.DemandbyconverterbyEndUseSegment
Figure5.ConverterDemandperpolymerandapplication
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
Source: PlasticEurope Market Research Group (PEMRG)
�0
��
ArevisedWasteFrameworkDirective(WFD)pavingthewayforaresourceefficientEurope
TheEUinstitutionsfinallyreachedanagreementin�008
ontherevisedWasteFrameworkDirective(WFD).
TheWFDprovidesaframeworktodrivewaste
managementpracticesintheEU.Therevisionwasbadly
neededtobringlegalclarityinanumberofimportant
areas.InsummarytherevisedWFDprovidesastrongdrive
forresourceefficiencyanddiversionofwastefromlandfill.
Underpinningthisistherecognitionofthe5stepwaste
hierarchyasapriorityordertobeappliedflexiblyusinglife
cyclethinkingtoalloweachwastestreamtobehandled
inthebestenvironmentalway,consideringeconomic
viabilityandtechnicalfeasibility.
Thehierarchyforimprovingresourceefficiencyis
(indescendingpriorityorder): •reduce
•reuse
•recycle
•recover
•disposal
Thelogicunderpinningthehierarchyisthatthemost
resource-efficientapproachisnottogeneratethewaste
inthefirstplaceortocreateaslittleaspossible.
Thenextbestoptionisreusei.e.usinganarticleover-and-
overagain,likeabeveragecrateoramulti-useshopping
bag.Ifreuseisnotfeasiblethenproductsshouldbe
recycled,providedthatthisismoreeco-efficientfrom
alifecycleperspectivethanrecovery.Thelastresortis
disposalwhichshouldbeminimised.
ThenewWFDdefinesrecyclingbroadly,whichwillstimulate
furtherdevelopmentofinnovativerecyclingsolutions,
expandingfromtraditionalmechanicalrecyclingto
encompassrecyclingofplastics’chemicalbuildingblocks
foruseasarawmaterial.Thisoffersaninnovationupside
fortheEuropeanrecyclingindustrytoexplorenewwaysof
usingresourcesmoreefficientlythanrecoveryorlandfill.
Extremelydemandingrecyclingtargetshavealsobeenset
forhouseholdanddemolitionwaste,whichwillrequire
toughmeasuresinmanyMemberStatesbutwillalsoact
asadrivertominimisewastetolandfill.
Alandmarkchangeisthatefficientenergy-from-wastewill
nowbeclassifiedasrecoveryratherthandisposal,and
asitisonestepabovelandfillitwillcreatestrongdrivers
insociety.Aclimatecorrectionfactorwillbedefinedto
ensurethatcountrieswithwarmerclimateswillstillhave
agoodopportunitytomeettheenergyefficiencycriteria.
Broadly-speakingtherevisedWFDwillprovidea
frameworkwhichwillenableimprovedrecyclingofplastics
–bothmechanicalandfeedstock-viainnovative,
eco-efficienttechnologies.High-calorificwasteplastics
willbeimportanttohelpenergy-from-wasteplantsmeet
theefficiencycriteriasetforclassificationasrecovery.
Innovativenewplastics-enabledsolutionswillsave
resourcesthroughapplicationssuchaspackaging,bothby
reducingwasteandbylight-weightingthepackagingitself.
Plasticsareresource-efficientmaterialsandwillplayakey
roleindrivingaresource-efficientEurope.
��
Reduce
PlasticssaveenergyandCO�emissionsduringtheuse
phase.Ifweweretosubstituteallplasticsinallapplications
withtheprevailingmixofalternativematerials,andlook
fromalifecycleperspective,then��.4millionadditional
tonnesofcrudeoilwouldberequiredeveryyear.
Thecorrespondinggreenhousegasemissionsareequivalent
to�0%oftheEU�5Kyototargetfor�000-�0��.
Plasticscontributetowasteminimisationbyofferingmore
andmoreresource-effectivesolutions,includinglower
energyconsumptionduringproduction,areductionin
theplasticsmaterialneededtodoaparticularjoband
lesswasteofthepackagedgoods,whetheritisfoodor
wateroracomputer.Examplesincludeever-lighterbottles
forwater,softdrinksordetergentsorthinnerfilmfor
packaging.
Reuse
Plasticsarereusedinanumberofareas.Plasticssoft
drinkbottlesarereusedindepositsystemsinanumber
ofMemberStates,manyofusreusethecarrierbagfora
varietyofneeds,andplasticstraysusedinsupermarkets
offeraclean,robustandcost-effectivewayofmoving
vegetables,breadorfishfromproducertocustomer.
Recycle
Therecyclingofplasticsisincreasingyearbyyear.
Inadditiontothewellknownapplicationssuchas
bottlesandindustrialpackagingfilm,newimportant
developmentsareongoing,liketheRecovinylinitiative
undertheVinyl�0�0programmeofthePVCindustry
(coveringpipes,windowframes,roofingmembranes,
andflooring).
AnotherstreamwhichisexploredinannumberofMember
Statesisthe“mixedpackagingplastics”
Thisimportantdevelopmentmustcontinueandwe
mustdrivetowardsrealisingthefullpotentialofexisting
recyclingstreamsaswellasopeningupneweco-efficient
streamsforrecycling.
Recover
Howeverevenafterincludingthesegrowingapplications
therewillberesidualstreamswhicharenotappropriate
tomechanicallyrecycleinaneco-efficientway:
Forthesestreamsplasticsofferanadditionalrecovery
option–energyrecovery.Aslongasweusefossilfuels
forenergyproduction,plasticswillofferanadditional
valuetosocietyasplasticsenablemanyvitalapplications
duringthelifecycleofthesehydrocarbonmoleculeson
theirjourneyfromoilwelltoenergysource.
Landfillordisposalmustbeminimisedasitwastesa
valuableresourceandcontributestogreenhousegas
formation.
Plasticscontributeinmanywaystosustainableuseofresources
The vision of the 4 partners for a forward-looking resource management approach:
•Minimisedisposalofplasticswastetolandfill
•Useamixofrecoveryoptionsforthebestenvironmentalandeconomicresult ineverysituation
•Treatmentandrecoveryofwasteshouldmeetthedefinedenvironmentalstandards
•Overalllifecycleimpactshouldbetakenintoaccount
��
��
Biobased&BiodegradablePlastics:“Bioplastics”
Bioplasticsarewelcomedasnewmembersoftheplastics
family,addingnewfeaturestothediversespectrumof
plasticsmaterials.
Unfortunatelythetwoaspectsofbioplastics–the
functionalpropertyofdegradationandtheoriginofthe
feedstockforproduction–areoftenmixed-up.
Degradableplasticsprovideafunctionalpropertywhichis
requiredforcertainapplicationssuchascompostbags,
mulchfilmforagriculturalapplications,andpackaging
forcateringandforsurgery(tomentionjustafew).
Howevertheuseofdegradableplasticsmustbecarefully
evaluatedinordertoensurethat,forexample,theydonot
contaminaterecyclingloopssuchasthebottlestream.
Plasticscanbemadefromanyfeedstockcontaining
carbonandhydrogen.Currentlyfossilfuelsarethe
preferredfeedstockbutalreadytodayplasticsaremade
fromrenewableresourcessuchassugarandcorn.Plastics
productionusesonly4%ofalloilandgas.Longbefore
ourreservesoffossilfeedstockhaverunout,the
tighteningsupply-demandbalancewillleadtohigher
priceswhichwillmovemajorfossilfuelusers,like
transportandheating,toalternativesources.Increasingly
inthefuture,complementaryfeedstocktofossil–like
biomassorothercarbonsources-willbeusedtosecure
undisruptedsuppliesofplasticstosociety.
Bio-basedplasticstodayhaveashareoflessthan�%of
thetotalplasticsmarketbuthaveexpectedhighgrowthrates.
Anapplicationforplasticswhichhasbeenparticularlyin
focusinthebioplasticsdebateisthecarrierbag.
Inthepublicdebatetheplasticbaghasbeenthevictimof
irresponsiblelitterbehaviourinsociety,whichhas
unfairlydamagedthereputationofthishighlysustainable
optionforcarryingourshoppingbackhome.Inseveral
LCAstudiestheplasticcarrierbag,andparticularlythe
thick,multiusebag–“theBagforLife”-comesoutasthe
mostenvironmentally-friendlyoption.
Thisdebateisanexampleofthemisunderstandingaround
theterm“biodegradability”.Biodegradability-aswithany
otherformofenhanceddegradationofplastics-doesnot
resolvethelitterissue,asthisprocesscantake�8months
ormoredependingontheconditionsofthe(industrial)
compostingfacility.
All-in-allthedebateonbiobasedand/orbiodegradable
plasticshasbecomemorefactualin�007.Stakeholders
areincreasinglyawareofthemultitudeofconsiderations
thathavetobemadetocorrectlypositionaproduct.
��
Figure7illustratestheflowofplasticsfromconversionto
theend-of-lifephase.ThedataisvalidforEU�7+Norway
andSwitzerland.
Theconvertersused5�.5milliontonnesofplasticsin
�007,up�%on�006.Ofallplasticsusedbyconsumers,
�4.6milliontonnesendedupaspost-consumerwaste,
upfrom��.7milliontonnesin�006.
50%ofthepost-consumerusedplasticwasrecoveredand
50%wenttodisposal.Ofthequantityrecovered,5million
tonneswererecycled–asmaterialandfeedstock–and
7.�milliontonneswererecoveredasenergy.
Theoverallmaterialrecyclingrateofpost-consumer
plasticsin�007was�0.4%,withmechanicalrecyclingat
�0.�%(up�.�%pointsfrom�006)andfeedstockrecycling
at0.�%(down0.�%pointsfrom�006).
Theenergyrecoveryrateremainedstableat�9.�%
reflectinghowthesensitivityandplanningcomplexityof
thisresourcemanagementtechnologyhasledtoslow
progressinsociety.
In�007,��.4milliontonnesofplasticswerewastedin
landfill.
Plasticssupplychainfromcradletocradle
Figure7.Plasticfromcradletocradle(EU�5+NO/CH�007)
�4
�5
Plasticscontinuetodecouplegrowthindemandandmaterialtolandfill
Despitea�%/yeargrowthoverthepastdecadeforpost-
consumerwastethequantitygoingtolandfillhasremained
stable.Figure8showsthehistoryforEU�5+NO/CHupto
�004andforEU�7+NO/CHfrom�005.Thegrowthof
post-consumerplasticwasteistheresultofseveraldrivers.
Plasticscontinuetosubstitutealternativematerials,
economicgrowthdrivesgreaterconsumption,smaller
householdsrequiremorepackagingperpersonandmore
ready-madesingle-portionmealsareconsumed.
Figure9outlinesthegrowthofbothmechanicalrecycling
andenergyrecovery.Overthelastdecadetheaverage
annualgrowthratehasbeenabout�0%.Mechanical
recyclingquantitysawanothergoodincreaseof��%in�007
whichisexplainedbyhigherplasticpricesandimproved
collectionandsortingtechnology.
Growthinenergyrecoveryquantityslowedto�%asvery
littlecapacitywasaddedin�007.
Moreinvestmentinenergyrecoveryfacilitiesisneededto
divertstreamswhichcannotbeeco-efficientlyrecycledfrom
landfill.
Figure9.Strongcontinuedgrowthofrecyclingandenergyrecovery
x 1.
000
tonn
esx
1.00
0 to
nnes
Figure8.Continueddecouplingofplasticwasteandlandfill
Energyrecovery
Mechanicalrecycling
Feedstockrecycling
Totalpost-usewaste
Disposal
�6
Slowprogresstowardsdiversionfromlandfill
Figure�0.Recyclingandenergyrecoveryratepercountry Recyclingrate�007 EnergyRecoveryrate�007
Thematerialrecyclingandenergyrecoveryofpost-consumer
plasticswastevariessignificantlybycountry.Insome
countrieslikeSwitzerland,Germany,SwedenandDenmark
thereisverylittlelandfill–thesecountriesarevery
closetocompletingtheirdiversion-from-landfillstrategy.
ArecentstudybytheSwissconsultancyPrognos(�)showed
that�7%oftheEUKyototargetforgreenhousegas(GHG)
emissionscouldbesavedifallwastecurrentlygoingto
landfillwastobedivertedflexiblytorecyclingandenergy
recovery.
Thebestresultswereachievedwithoutspecifictargetsbut
withfullflexibilitytoexplorerecyclingandenergyrecovery
whereitbestservedthespecificwastestream.
InadditiontosavingGHGemissions,diversionfrom
landfillcontributestoincreasedresourceefficiencyand
energysecuritywhilereducinglittering.
OneimportantobservationfromFigure�0isthatcountries
withhighrecoveryratesdowellonbothrecyclingand
energyrecovery.Wecanthereforeconfidentlystatethata
strategyincludingenergyrecoveryisnotcontradictoryto
achievinggoodrecyclingresults.Itsimplyillustratesthat
acompleteresourcemanagementstrategyneedsto
addressboth,asnocountrywillbeabletorecycleall
post-consumerwaste.
Theotherobservationthatcanbedrawnisthatwhilst
recyclingperformanceisfairlysimilaracrossmostofthe
EU�7+NO/CHcountriestherearehugedifferencesinthe
utilisationofenergyrecovery.Countrieswhichhavehigh
dependenceonlandfillmustnotonlyexploittheirfull
recyclingpotentialbutrapidlyexpandtheirenergy-from-
wastenetwork.
Theprogressofthediversionfromlandfillisslowon
averagewithrecycling(mechanical+feedstock)across
EU�7+NO/CHincreasingfrom�9.5%in�006to�0.4%in
�007whileenergyrecoveryremainedstableat�9.�%.
StrongeffortswillberequiredinmanyMemberStates
tocapturethefullpotentialofferedbyadiversionfrom
landfillstrategy,namelyGHGemissionsavings,enhanced
resourceefficiencyandenergysecurityandtheavoiding
oflandfillpenalties.
(�)http://www.prognos.com/Singleview.�06+M5c8�8d79ff6.0.html�6
�7
Trendsinrecycling
Thereportingofrecyclingperformanceinthisreportisdone
onaMemberStatelevel.Itreflectstheamountofmaterial
collectedforrecycling,whetherthismateriallatercrosses
borderswithintheEU,issentoverseastocountriessuchas
ChinaorIndia,orstaysinitscountryoforigin.
WithinEuropethereismuchcross-bordermovementof
materialforrecycling,whichreflectsthetradewithintheEU.
Forexampletheproportionofimportedwastetreatedby
recyclersinSwitzerland,BelgiumandtheNetherlands
isintherangeof�5-45%.
Exportofpost-consumerplasticwastefromEU�7+NO/CH
continuedtoincreasetoanestimatedtotalof0.65million
tonnesin�007(up�0%over�006).Thisrepresents��%
ofallwastecollectedforrecycling–whichiscomparable
toothermaterials.Ensuringthatrecyclingofexported
wastetakesplaceincertifiedandauthorisedfacilitiesisof
theutmostimportanceforthecredibilityoftheEUaswell
asforconsumerconfidence.
Thecollectionrateformechanicalrecyclingofpost-
consumerplasticswasteincreased��%over�006to
�0.�%in�007.Thisrepresentsanincreaseof0.5million
tonnes,givinganEU�7+NO/CHtotalof4.9milliontonnes.
Thisincreaseisfuelledbyhigherpolymerpricesand
improvedcollectionandsortingtechnology.Therecycling
capacityoftheEuropeanrecyclingindustryisestimated
tobestillhighertoenableallcollectedmaterialtobe
treatedinEurope.
Abigpartofthisincreasewasachievedthroughtheincrease
inpackagingstreamssuchasPETbottles,industrialpackaging
filmandPVCproductsviatheprogrammeVinyl�0�0.
Asthereisstillthepotentialtocollectmorefromthese
streamsacrossMemberStates,itisimportanttocontinue
effortstodrivethesestreamstowardstheirfullpotential.
Cratesandpalletsaretwostreamswhererecyclingiswell
above90%.Thissuccessful“closedloop”isthreatened
bychangesintheEUlegislationlinkedtotheheavy
metalcontentoftheseproducts.Withoutthederogation
extensiontocontinuetorecycleandkeeptheheavymetals
safelyintheplasticahugequantityofrecyclableplastics
couldbeobsolete.Industryisworkingtowardsacontrolled
schemetomonitortherenewalofthederogation.
InadditioncountriesliketheUKareseekingincreased
recyclingfromthemixedplasticsstream(i.e.thehousehold
plasticsstreamexcludingbottles).Theplasticsindustry
isengagedinthisinitiativeandsupportsextendedeco-
efficientrecycling.Howeverinfrastructureanddemography
variesacrossMemberStates,andthereforesolutionswill
notbethesameindifferentcountries.ForexampleAustria
andtheNetherlandshavetakentheoppositedecision
totheUKanddecidednottocollectmixedplasticsbut
insteadtorecoverthisstreamthroughenergyrecovery.
Plastic bottles are suitable for recyclingApackagingapplicationwithagoodrecyclingtrackrecord
istheplasticbottle.SuchbottlescanbemadeofPET,PE,
PPorPVC.4�%ofallusedPETbottleswerecollectedfor
recyclingin�007.Thisamountsto�.�milliontonnes/year.
TheEU�7+NO/CHcountriesdemonstratehugevariations,
frombelow�0%forsomecountriestonearly70%for
countriessuchasAustriaorBelgiumbasedonnodeposit
system.Incountrieswithdepositsystemsrecyclingrates
ofover90%arebeingachieved.Iftheperformanceof
e.g.Belgiumcouldbematched,thenthepotentialexists
toincreaserecyclingbyabout�milliontonnes/yacross
EU�7+NorwayandSwitzerland.ThesysteminBelgiumis
basedonco-collectionofbottles,metalcontainersanddrink
cartons.Bottlesareseparatedoutinsortingplants.
Recyclersthenreprocesstheseparatedplastics.Asthe
quantityofrecycledbottlesincreases,thetraditionalmarkets
forreprocessedmaterial,fibreandstrapping,become
saturated.Workisunderwayinanumberofcountriesto
closethebottleloopi.e.tousethereprocessedPETand
HDPEfornewbottlesandalsoforfoodapplications.
Thisbottle-to-bottlerecyclingwillopenupabigmarketfor
recyclatesiftherequirementsfore.g.foodapprovalcanbe
met.EFSA–theEuropeanFoodSafetyAgency-haspublished
guidelinesforapplicantsforthesafetyevaluationofrecycled
plasticstobeusedincontactwithfood.ThenewEuropean
regulationonplastics(EC�8�/�008)requiresthatrecycled
plasticsusedincontactwithfoodshouldonlybeobtained
fromprocesseswhichhavebeenassessedforsafetybyEFSA.
�8
In�007thevolumeofpost-consumerPVCwastebeing
recycledacrossEurope,mainlythroughtheRecovinyl
systemaspartoftheindustryVinyl�0�0voluntary
commitment,reached�49,500tonnes.Thisrepresents
an80%increaseon�006levels,when8�,000tonnes
wererecycledandcontinuesthestronggrowthinPVC
recyclingseenintheprevioustwoyearswhichsawthe
volumeofVinyl�0�0sponsoredrecyclingdoublingeach
year.TheVinyl�0�0targetfor�0�0isfortherecyclingof
�00,000tonnesofpost-consumerPVCwaste(inaddition
toregulatedwastestreamsandtothevolumesrecycledin
�000).Therearenowcollectionandrecyclingsystemsfor
PVCproductsinmanyEuropeancountries.
SincemanyPVCapplicationslikewindowframesandpipes
arelong-lifeproductsthatcanlastformanydecadesthe
quantityofend-of-lifematerialiscurrentlylimited.Larger
quantitiesofwastematerialarethereforeonlyexpectedin
thefuture.Nevertheless,adequaterecyclingcapacitiesare
alreadybeingprovidedfor.
Inprofessionalrecyclingallplasticwindows,including
fittingsandglass,arepre-crushedinashredder.Bymeans
ofspecialseparatorsallmetalcomponentsandglassare
excludedfromthematerialflow.SubsequentlyallPVC,
whichatfirstexistsascoarsegrindingstockof�5-�5
millimetresindiameter,ishackledtofinegrainsizeina
cuttingmill.
Additionalseparation–andprocessing–stepsforquality
improvementfollowinline.
RecyclingofPVCreaches�50,000tonnesayear
�8
�9
PackagingRecyclingBeyondtheBottle
TheplasticbottleissuccessfullyrecycledinmostEU
MemberStates.Tofurtherimprovepackagingrecycling
ratesweneedto
• continuetocapturethefullpotentialofthebottle
• exploreothercontentofthepackagingstream
CountrieslikeAustria,Italy,Germany,NorwayandSpain
alreadycollect–inadditiontothebottle–rigidpackaging
suchastrays,tubsandpotsplussomefilm.
Improvementsinsortingandwashingtechnologies,
emergingmarketsforrecyclateandpotentialbusiness
opportunitiesdriveMemberStatestoexplorethisstream
-oftenreferredtoas“MixedPlastics”.
AnEPROworkinggroupisfocussingonMixedPlasticsby
studyingexistingsystemsandcarryingoutindustrialtests
toassessfeasibility,costeffectivenessandenvironmental
benefitsofthedifferentend-of-lifeoptions.IntheUK
WRAP-theWasteResourceActionProgramme–has
runaninitialstudyandisnowtakingthistofullscale
validation.
ThelearningfromexploringtherecyclingofMixedPlastics
isthat:
• Inputneedstobesortedtohighlevelofpurityper
plastictype
• Recyclateneedstoreplacevirginpolymerinthenext
application
• Welldefinedendmarketsforeachrecyclatestreamneed
tobedeveloped
• Onlypartoftheinputstreamcanbeturnedinto
recyclatewiththebalancebetterusedforenergy
recovery.Percentagesdependonqualityandconsistency
ofinputstream
Additionallearningwillbecomeavailableoverthenextfew
yearsasMemberStatesexplorethisrecyclingopportunity.
Focus on Italy
Corepla-theNationalConsortiumfortheCollection,
RecoveryandRecyclingofPlasticPackagingWaste-
hasbeensetuptoguaranteerecyclingandrecoveryof
packagingwaste.
In�00�householdcollectioninItalywasenlargedfrom
bottles-onlytoallplasticpackagingwaste.
SincethenCoreplahascreatedvalueforbottlesandfilm
withtheresultthatintheyear�007ofmorethan�00.000
tonnesofbottlesandaround50.000tonnesoffilmwere
soldthroughweb-basedauctionswitharevenueofmore
thand40million.
In�007mixedplasticspackagingrepresentedmorethan
�5%ofthewholehouseholdcollectionwith40%being
recycledandtherestusedforenergyrecovery.
Coreplaisfocusedoncreatingevenmorevalueformixed
plasticsfractionsthroughautomaticsorting(forincreased
efficiency)andanalysisofend-usemarketsinordertofind
high-valueapplications.
�0
In�007,7.�milliontonnesor�9.�%ofthepost-consumer
plasticswastewasrecoveredasenergyinEU�7+Norway
andSwitzerland,unchangedinpercentagetermsfrom�006.
Municipalincineratorsremainthemostcommontechnology
forenergyrecovery.NineoftheEU�7+NO/CHcountries
use58-8�%oftheirpost-consumerwasteinenergy
recoveryplants.Franceuses�8%whileothercountries
have�0%orlessoftheirpost-consumerwasterecovered
inenergyrecoveryplants.Thisincludesnotonlynew
MemberStatesbutalsocountriessuchasFinland,Greece,
Ireland,SpainandtheUK.
Thereisgrowingrecognitionine.g.IrelandandtheUKthat
theenergyrecoverycapacityshouldbeincreased,butthe
planningprocessiscomplexandprotractedandplanning
permissionisfrequentlycontestedbyNGOsandlocal
interestgroups.
Anadditionalformofenergy-from-wasteistheproduction
ofsolidrecoveredfuel(SRF)throughconcentratinghigh
calorificwasteandconvertingitintoafuelwithadefined
specificationagreedbetweenuserandproducer.Theuse
ofsuchsolidrecoveredfuelsisexpectedtogrowafterthe
introductionofEuropeanCENstandardsfortheproduction
andtradeofthistypeoffuel.Thiskindof“concentrated”
highcalorificfuelhasahugepotentialinpartlyreplacing
otherfuelsforco-combustionincementkilns,papermills
andcombinedheatandpowerplants(includingdistrict
heating).SignificantSRFcapacityisbeingbuiltinGermany
andprogressedinothercountries.Ineos-aplastics
producer-hasrecentlyobtainedplanningpermissionfor
anSRF-fuelledpowerplantintheUKandaFinnishpower
companyisbuildinganewSRF-fedpowerstation.
Recentstudieshavedocumentedthattherearesignificant
positivesynergyeffectsfromco-firingsolidrecoveredfuel
(SRF)withbiomass:SRFadditionallowsearlierignition
(partlybecausebiomassalwayshasacertainwater
content,whileSRFdoesnot),whichinturnassuresfaster
andmoreefficientincineration,bettercombustionstability
andhigherboileroutput.
AsSRFisoftenlocallyavailable,andatalowcost,co-firing
SRFandbiomassisalsoafinanciallyattractiveoption.
Spittelauisacombinedheatandpowerincineratorlocated
inthecityCentreofVienna,only�kmfromtheStStephen
Cathedral.Theplantwasdevelopedinthelate�980s
intoastrikingdesignbyFriedensreichHundertwasser.
Theplanthasacapacityof60.000tonnes/yearand
produces66MW,withanefficiencyupto86%.
Ofthetotaloutput60MWgoestoheatingtheVienna
districtheatingsystemand6MWisgeneratedaspower
fortheViennagrid.Plasticsmakeuparound�0%byweight
ofthefeedbutasmuchas50%ofthecalorificcontent
thankstotheirhighspecificcalorificvalue.Whentheflue
gasleavesthe��8mhighchimneyithaspassedthrough
oneofthemosteffectivecleaningprocesses,ensuring
fullcompliancewiththeWasteIncinerationDirective.
Inapublicpollsomeyearsafterstart-up�%wereagainst
wasteincinerationand8�%werepositivetowaste
incinerationanddistrictheating.Themagicrecipeof
investinginacomprehensiveeducationalcampaign,
securingthehighesttechnicalstandardsandchoosing
anoutstandingdesigncansurelybecopiedelsewhere.
Trendsinenergyrecovery
��
PlasticProducts,ApplicationsandGoods–enablersofinnovationinsociety
Transport
Inadditiontotheenergysavingsenabledbyplasticsin
cars,aircraftsandtrucks,plasticsfacilitateinnovation
inavarietyofways.
Aestheticdesignismadepossiblebytheinherent
capabilityofplasticstobedesigned,colouredand
producedinanyshapeandform.
Cheapersolutions–leadingtomoreaffordablecars-are
enabledbyplasticscomponentsallowingtheintegration
intoonepieceofwhathadpreviouslybeenseveral
partsmadefromtraditionalmaterialsandrequiringan
additionaljoining-togetherstep.Exteriorpanelsableto
takesmallimpactswillsavemoneyandtroubletothe
carowneraslittleornorepairwillbeneeded.
Sports and leisure
TherecentOlympicgamesinBeijinggavenumerous
exampleshowplasticsenhanceperformance–inalegal
way–invastlydifferentsportsandmakeitmoreenjoyable
tothecompetitorwhetheritisatopathleteoracasual
exerciser.Perhapsthebestexampleisthenewswimming
suitswhichenabledcompetitorstobreaknumerous
records.Thankstoapolyurethanesuitcoveredinan
entirelyseamlessengineeredfabric,wherethedifferent
panelsareultra-sonicallyweldedtogether,athleteswere
providedwitha5%betteroxygenintakecapabilityanda
4%increaseinspeed.
Sportsshoesaremadelighterandlighter,whilstoffering
betterstabilityandrobustnessthankstobetterandbetter
foamandsupportingstructuresmadefromplastics–and
whatwassolelyforthetopathletesintheOlympicswill
soonbeinthemassmarkettobeenjoyedbytherestofus.
Intelligent textiles
Intelligenttextileswilltransformthewaywework,live,
travelandcareforourbodiesandplanet
Cuddlysoftbabypyjamasthatmonitorvitalsignsand
soundanalarmifthechildareindangerinitssleep.
Therapiddevelopmentofso-calledintelligentortechnical
textilesconstitutesarevolutionbothforthetextile
industryitselfandforsectorsrangingfromtransport,
constructionandworkplacesafetytoagriculture,health,
consumerelectronicsand–ofcourse–fashion.
Alsoknownassmartfabrics,thesematerialsgenerally
consistofpolymer-basedfabricsdesignedtoperformvery
sophisticatedfunctionsandusuallyincorporatehigh-tech
elements,frombiochemicalstophotovoltaiccells,intothe
fabricitself.
Inhealthcarewehaveforsometimeusedintelligentfibres
tomakethelittletubesthatpropopenblockedarteriesin
coronarybypasssurgeryortoreinforcetornligaments.
��
Packaging
Thepackagingapplicationhasthelongesthistoryof
recoveryandcontributesabout6�%ofend-of-life
quantity.Notsurprisinglythemajorpartofwhatistoday
recycledthereforecomesfrompackaging.
Streamsofbottlesandindustrialfilmarebeing
mechanicallyrecycledto~40%acrossEU�7+NO/CH.
Cratesandboxesarerecycledatwellover90%.
Recyclingratesfortheremainingmixedplasticsarestill
low–below�0%acrossEU�7+NO/CH.
Intotalthecollectionforrecyclingofpost-consumer
packaginggrewin�007toanaverageof�8%,upfrom
�6.�%in�006.
Fig��showsthemapoverEuropewithEU�7+NO/CH
countriesbelow�5%(currentrequirement),below��.5%
(requirementfrom�008)andthoseabove��.5%.
Agricultural films
Agriculturalplasticswastesuchassilagefilmisagood
sourceformechanicalrecyclingasitismadefromalimited
rangeofplastics,mostlypolyolefins.Howeveroftenhigh
levelsofcontaminationbysoilposeatechnicaland
financialchallengetoeco-efficientrecyclingorrecovery.
EuPCandEuPRareengagedintheLabelAgriWasteproject
–anEUco-fundedproject–aimingatdevelopingan
integratedapproachtowardsthecollection,samplingand
labelingofagriculturalplasticwaste.Progressisexpected
fromthisprojectoverthenextyear.
Automotive
Therecyclingrateforautomotiveplasticswastecontinued
toincreasetojustunder�0%in�007.Volkswagenwonan
environmentalawardfortheirSiConprocess-amechanical
processtoextractusablesecondaryrawmaterialsfrom
theresiduesofvehiclesshreddedattheendoftheiruseful
lives.Plantsusingthistypeoftechnologyarebeingbuilt
andstartingupintheNetherlandsandinAustria.
Electrical & electronic
Recyclingintheelectricalandelectronicsectorislimited
bycomplexproductswithmaterialsintermingledinaway
whichmakessortinganintensiveandexpensiveactivity.
AnexampleofgrowingrecyclingintheE&Esectorisof
theinnerlinerofarefrigerator.Forthemajorityofwaste
streams,thermaltreatmentviafeedstockrecyclingor
energyrecoveryisthemostappropriateprocedure.
Thereisalsosomeuncertaintyabouttheactualvolumes
ofdiscardedE&Eequipment.Itcanbeassumedthatsome
isexportedoutsideEurope.
Construction
Plasticsusedinconstructionareforlong-termuseand
hencedonotgenerateasmuchwaste.Nevertheless
increasedrecyclingisbeingachievedine.g.window
profilesandpipesof��%in�007.
Recoverytrendsbyapplication
Figure��.Totalrecyclingofplasticpackagingwastebycountry
<�5%
�5-<��,5%
>=��,5%
notincluded
Whoarewe?
TheEuropeanplasticsindustrymakesasignificant
contributiontothewelfareinEuropebyenabling
innovation,creatingqualityoflifetocitizensandfacilitating
resourceefficiencyandclimateprotection.Morethan
�.6millionpeopleareworkinginabout50.000companies
(mainlysmallandmediumsizedcompaniesinthe
convertingsector)tocreateaturnoverinexcessof€�00
billionperyear.
PlasticsEuropeisoneoftheleadingEuropeantrade
associationswithcentresinBrussels,Frankfurt,London,
Madrid,MilanandParis.WearenetworkingwithEuropean
andnationalplasticsassociationsandhavemorethan�00
membercompanies,producingover90%ofallpolymers
acrosstheEU�7MemberStatesplusNorway,Switzerland,
CroatiaandTurkey.
EuPC -theEuropeanPlasticsConverters-istheprofessional
representativebodyofplasticsconverterswithinEurope
whoseactivityembracesallsectorsoftheplasticsconverting
industryincludingrecycling.Theoverallobjectiveisto
defendandpromotetheinterestsoftheEuropeanplastics
convertingindustry
• Voicingtheindustry’sopiniontowardsEuropean
andinternationalinstitutionsandnon-governmental
organisations;
• Maintainingrelationshipswithcorresponding
organisationsinEuropeandworldwide;
• Carryingoutbusinesssurveys,studiesandresearch
projectsinallaspectsoftheplasticsprocessingindustry.
EuPR-theEuropeanPlasticsRecyclers-istheprofessional
representativebodyofplasticsrecyclersinEurope.
EuPRpromotesplasticsmechanicalrecyclingandconditions
thatenableprofitableandsustainablebusiness,while
offeringaserviceplatformtoitsmembers.EuPRmembers
bringtogether85%oftheEuropeanrecyclingcapacity
processingmorethan5milliontonnesofcollectedplastics
peryear.
EPRO -theEuropeanAssociationofPlasticsRecyclingand
RecoveryOrganisations-istheassociationofthenational
organisationschargedwithorganisingandpromoting
recyclingandrecoveryofplasticsthroughoutEurope.
EPROprovidesauniqueforumfortheleadingspecialists
inplasticswastemanagementfromacrossEuropeto
exchangelearning,developintegratedplasticspackaging
wastestrategiesandsupporttechnologicaldevelopment.
��
AvenueE.vanNieuwenhuyse4/�
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Phone+��(0)�675��97
Fax +��(0)�675�9�5
www.plasticseurope.org
Thematerialcontainedinthispublicationisforinformationonly.PlasticsEurope,astheresponsibleeditorforthispublication,
hascompiledthecontentverycarefully,andtheinformationplacedinthispublicationisofferedinutmostgoodfaithandis
believedtobecorrect.
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Fax +���4568��9
www.epro-plasticsrecycling.org
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