CEFLEX urges wider PCR use to meet PPWR targets

A report from a Circular Economy for Flexible Packaging (CEFLEX) has reviewed how recycled content from polyolefin-based flexible packaging will need to be used in greater volumes and across more secondary applications as EU legislative targets for recycled content and recycling rates come into force later this year. 

The report, Secondary Applications for Recycled Content — Key Insights for Flexible Packaging, reveals that around 2.5 million metric tons of flexible packaging derived post-consumer recyclate (PCR) will be required by 2030 to meet the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recycled content targets in flexible packaging, encompassing recycled PE, PP, and mixed polyolefins. 

Arne Jost, external affairs director at CEFLEX, says: “Meeting recycled content targets is not only about recycling more. It depends on whether that material can move into real applications, at the right quality and at scale.”

“This work helps not only show the material flows as a result of PPWR targets, but also helps identify where those markets are, and what they require in practice”.

Absorbing flexible PCR volumes 

The report shows that the 55% recycling rate targets for all plastic packaging formats in 2035 will have an additional effect on PCR markets and use. 

This target will drive more material through the system, according to CEFLEX. By 2035, markets and secondary applications will need to be found for an estimated 5.9 million metric tons of flexible packaging derived PCR.

“Taken together, this means adoption of an additional 440,000 metric tons a year of flexible packaging derived PCR is required every year between 2025–2035 to achieve PPWR targets,” says CEFLEX.

CEFLEX identifies that material quality, along with the collection, sorting, and recycling infrastructure required to enable the reuse of recycled materials, will be critical to supporting this transition.

The analysis highlights the need for coordinated action across the value chain to develop packaging and non-packaging end markets, so recycled material is used consistently. 

“PPWR recycled content targets will create strong demand for recycled content in packaging. However, the wider circular economy for flexible packaging and recycling rate targets also depend on markets that are not directly driven by PPWR. This includes non-packaging and open-loop applications that already use significant volumes of recycled material,” CEFLEX explains. 

CEFLEX notes that packaging alone is unlikely to absorb all the recycled material needed to support higher recycling rates. Thus, the analysis presents a set of established secondary markets that already use, and could absorb more, flexible packaging derived PCR. These markets include construction films, refuse sacks, transport packaging, horticulture products, and other rigid applications.