The new data published in the report ’Plastics the Fast Facts 2025’ confirm the rapid and uninterrupted decline in the competitiveness of European plastic production. Despite a slight stabilisation in production volumes in 2024 (+0.4% to 54.6 million t) after a record decline in 2023 (-7.6%), Europe’s share of the global market continues to decrease — falling from 22% in 2006 to just 12% in 2024. Industrial turnover also declined significantly, from €457 billion in 2022 to €398 billion in 2024 (-13%).

Europe's decline sharply contrasts with industrial growth in other regions. Global plastic production increased by 4.1% last year and by 16.3% since 2018. Asia now produces 57.2% of global plastics, with China accounting for 34.5% — nearly three times more than the entire EU.

The EU-27's negative trade balance in plastic polymers improved slightly, from -0.8 million t in 2023 to -0.2 million t in 2024, supported by a 10% increase in exports. However, changing global tariff regimes still pose a serious threat. The USA is the largest source of polymer imports into Europe, accounting for 18.9% of the market, and the fourth-largest export market for EU polymers, with a 7.7% market share.

In 2024, total production of circular plastics in the EU remained at 8.4 million t. Mechanical recycling increased by just 2.7% to 7.7 million t, while chemical recycling remained steady at 0.11 million t. Bio-based plastics decreased by 25% to 0.6 million t due to competition from subsidised materials from biofuels.

In comparison, global production of circular plastics rose to 43.9 million t in 2024, exceeding the 10% threshold of total global production for the first time. China alone produced 13.4 million t of circular plastics in 2024 — nearly double Europe’s volume.