The European plastics industry faces challenges from strict regulations, rising recycling demands, and record-high energy costs. Production is shifting outside the EU, risking dependence on imports and weakened competitiveness.
SML and KGL S.A. have developed a thermoformed foamed PP coffee cup for hot-fill applications, combining heat resistance with material savings and PPWR-compliant recyclability.
MAAG Group is expanding its Recycling Systems business unit and has appointed Michael Heitzinger as Manager Business Development Recycling Systems, effective October 1, 2025.
At K 2025, ENGEL will run an all-electric e-motion 420 stack-mould cell to produce thin-wall PET yoghurt cups with 30% bottle-grade rPET. The in-mould labelled parts demonstrate food-contact rPET processing at production scale using injection-compression and digital assistance.
Tomra Recycling has released a free eBook that explains how deep learning is being applied in optical sorting, outlining practical use cases, regulatory drivers and a pathway toward more transparent, autonomous recycling plants.
At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, Leonhard Kurz will present NFPP lightweight composites, Recosys rPET-based textiles and EcoLayer FX decoration for PP-based substrates, focusing on scalable approaches to circularity and resource efficiency in automotive interiors.
At K 2025 in Düsseldorf, FCS Group will showcase all-electric injection molding machines integrated with recycled materials, microcellular foaming and factory digitalization. Demonstrations will include two-component overmolding, eyewear from ocean-sourced PA6+GF and iMF 4.0 for energy and ESG reporting.
The European plastics recycling sector is sliding into one of its deepest crises to date. By the end of 2025, Europe will have lost nearly one million tonnes of recycling capacity since 2023.
GreenDot Group will exhibit at K 2025 in Düsseldorf, marking the 35th anniversary of Der Grüne Punkt and highlighting Systalen recyclates in PP and LDPE derived from household packaging waste.
At K 2025, Arburg will host a multi-day lecture program in the arburgGREENworld pavilion, complemented by contributions to the VDMA Power of Plastics Forum and the Women in Plastics event.
MAS introduced the iQonicTwin HyperPET, integrating a pre-extrusion SSP based on infrared radiation and vacuum for food-grade rPET with stable IV, color consistency and low AA at reduced energy use. The solution debuts at K Show 2025 in Düsseldorf.
Ineos Styrolution has received the first truckloads of recycled styrene monomer at its Antwerp site, supplied by Indaver from its newly inaugurated depolymerisation plant. The commercial-scale delivery, a first in Europe, will feed high-quality polystyrene and other styrenics, including food-grade uses.