Calls to make advanced plastics recycling more investable
Recycling firm Viridor is requesting policy changes to improve investment conditions in Europe.
Advanced plastics recycling can help process hard-to-recycle plastics that can’t be recycled via conventional mechanical methods, turning them back into usable material, including for food and medical-grade applications.
Viridor claims current market conditions in the EU and UK don’t support the pace or scale of investment required.
The company has acquired the Quantafuel platform, achieving dry yields of 70-75% at its Skive plastics-to-liquids plant in Denmark. This is supported by improved operations and development project costs, and increased line availability and overall utilisation.
However, in the EU and UK, demand for recycled material has weakened and cheaper virgin materials continue to undercut recycled alternatives.
Viridor believes the policies and regulations currently in place are not creating the certainty, enforcement or long-term support needed to unlock investment at scale.
It is calling for actions across the EU and UK, including stronger measures to ensure European plastic waste is recycled in Europe, clear and enforceable recycled-content requirements, and quick implementation of harmonised and consistent end-of-waste rules.
