The winners of the Plastics Recycling Awards Europe 2026 were announced during the 10th anniversary edition of the Plastics Recycling Show Europe in Amsterdam. This year’s awards covered recycled-content product applications, technology innovations and recycling machinery. Titles for plastics recycling ambassadors were also presented. As the organisers emphasised, the winning projects show the continued development of Europe’s plastics recycling value chain and its importance for the circular economy in the region.
Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe, said: "This year’s winners show how important innovation is in the plastics recycling industry. Particularly at this critical moment for the European plastics recycling value chain, the progress we are seeing reflects how far the industry has come since these awards were launched and underscores the vital role plastics recycling plays in building a resilient and competitive European economy."
Beatriz Santos, editor of Sustainable Plastics and chair of the jury, added: "It is a privilege to see the scale and quality of this year’s submissions first-hand. We congratulate all finalists, the selection process across all seven categories was truly demanding this year."
Winners in individual categories
In the Automotive, Electrical or Electronic Product of the Year category, the Eletta Ultra Coffee Machine, entered by De' Longhi Appliances S.r.l. and Sirmax S.p.A., took first place. The judges described the project as a standout, practical example of using recyclates in a demanding and complex product, confirming that recycled raw materials can be successfully integrated at market scale.
The Building & Construction Product of the Year award went to the Neular Unlimited T&G Board 32×138 Co-extrusion Profile by Neular OÜ. According to the judges, the solution has clear market relevance and shows that recycled plastics can provide suitable performance in demanding construction applications.
In the Household & Leisure Product of the Year category, the winner was the L-Boxx Contractor from Robert Bosch Power Tools GmbH and LyondellBasell. The judges recognised the high post-consumer recycled content used in a durable everyday product with clear value for the user.
In the Plastic Packaging Product of the Year category, the award went to the 50% rPET White Opaque Bottle for UHT Milk by Parmalat S.p.A. The judges assessed the solution as a particularly relevant packaging innovation in the context of upcoming legislative requirements, demonstrating the possibility of increasing recycled content in a real mainstream application.
The Product Technology Innovation of the Year award went to the Milsani Topi rPS Dairy Cup, submitted by ALDI Nord, ALDI South and Hofer together with Fernholz and Zott. The judges identified the project as a timely and significant example of innovation as the PPWR targets come into force later this year.
In the Recycling Machinery Innovation of the Year category, the award went to VOLEX from Erema Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen GmbH. According to the judges, the solution stands out for its high level of innovation and delivers effective degassing, lower volatile organic compound content and reduced fogging.
Winners of the 2026 Plastics Recycling Awards Europe were announced today at the Plastics Recycling Show in Amsterdam
Plastics recycling ambassadors of the year
In this year’s edition, two distinctions were awarded in the main Plastics Recycling Ambassador of the Year category. They went to Mattias Philipsson, CEO of Svensk Plaståtervinning Site Zero, and Ansgar Thees Ovelgönne, Managing Director of Thees Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH. They were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the development of the European plastics recycling sector.
All winners received a trophy with a base produced by 3D printing from 100% recycled ABS sourced from automotive dashboards. The upper multi-colour part of the trophy was laser-cut from compressed HDPE bottle caps collected during beach clean-up activities.
The Plastics Recycling Awards Europe are jointly organised by Plastics Recyclers Europe and Crain Communications, the team also responsible for the Plastics Recycling Show Europe, described as the region’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to plastics recycling.
