Despite an increase in the performance compared to the previous edition, the first results of the 3rd EuPC survey clearly indicate that the main barriers to a larger use of recycled polymers stay the same. Especially the insufficient reproducibility of properties from lot to lot, and visual aspect of products made from recycled polymers are problems for plastics converters serving the market specifications of customers and brands.
Of the 28% of the participants that are currently not using recycled polymers, 65% cannot use them because the specifications of their products do not allow the use, and 41% state that regulatory requirements and feedstock insecurities prevent them from using recycled polymers. This is largely the case for food contact applications and well as products manufactured for healthcare and medical purposes.
The full report on the results of the 3rd survey on the use of recycled polymers by plastics converters in Europe will be published at the beginning of March. Interested parties can register free of charge on the website of Polymer Comply Europe to receive access to the full report as soon as it is published.