The association of plastics producers Plastics Europe Deutschland has presented its annual report for 2021. Important topics that concern the industry are the success of a circular economy and the path to greenhouse gas neutrality. Overall, a change can be observed in the industry.
Compared to the previous year, which was dominated by coronavirus plastics production in Germany increased by 17 per cent in 2021. However, the industry continues to be burdened by supply bottlenecks, logistics problems and rising prices for primary products and energy. Prices for plastics therefore also rose in 2021, which also led to an increase in turnover from 23.1 to 31.0 billion euros in the plastics manufacturing industry in Germany.
Tackling the climate crisis is a particularly important task for the industry. As an energy and emissions-intensive industry based on fossil raw materials, the plastics industry is particularly challenged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a lever Plastics Europe Germany here a Moving away from carbon from fossil sources and a tailwind from politics. But a lot is already happening in companies on the way to cleanly produced, recyclable and climate-neutral products.
„Our members are working on highly innovative recycling technologies and are investing heavily in new systems. Their products increasingly consist of recyclates and are much more recyclable than before. At the same time, our companies are focusing on a broader raw material base, for example through chemical recycling or renewable raw materials, utilising CO2 as a building block for new plastics or plan electrically powered crackers. In addition to the benefits for the environment and climate, innovative and more efficient products, technologies and business models are being created in this way.“
Ingemar Bühler, Managing Director Plastics Europe Germany
Source: Plastics Europe Germany
The complete Annual report can be found here.
