{"id":116130,"date":"2026-05-13T05:21:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T05:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?post_type=vimeo-video&p=116130"},"modified":"2026-05-13T07:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T05:36:55","slug":"plastic-prices-have-exploded-recycling-capacities-are-missing-thomas-reiner-dvi-interpack-2026","status":"publish","type":"vimeo-video","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/vimeo-video\/kunststoffpreise-explodiert-recycling-kapazitaeten-fehlen-thomas-reiner-dvi-interpack-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Plastic prices explode, recycling capacities are lacking: Thomas Reiner, DVI | interpack 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thomas Reiner, CEO of Berndt + Partner and Chairman of the German Packaging Institute, draws a sobering conclusion on the current market situation at interpack 2026. While the industry normally looks to the future, discussions are currently dominated by looking back at the supply chain.<\/p>\n

Plastic prices and availability as acute challenges<\/h3>\n

\u201ePlastic prices have exploded in no time at all, we\u2019ve never experienced anything like it. Due to the war situation, prices have doubled in 4 weeks for many plastics,\u201c reports Reiner. This drastic cost development is forcing companies to rethink their traditional procurement strategies. At the same time, initial availability problems for specialities are arising.<\/p>\n

Noticeably parallel to this is the decline in sustainability themes at the trade fair compared to 2023. Reiner explains this with the current short-sightedness: \u201eThe volatility we have outside \u2013 everyone is on a short-term horizon, and that is the opposite of sustainability per se.\u201c Quantity problems in the consumer goods industry and dwindling money for consumers are exacerbating this tendency.<\/p>

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Too late for recycling<\/h3>\n

The expert views the situation with plastic recycling as particularly critical: \u201eIf we need 10 to 12 million tonnes of recycled plastic, PCR, we only had capacity for roughly half, and in the last 2 years we have lost 1 million tonnes of capacity.\u201c His clear assessment: \u201eWe are collectively too late.\u201c<\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, Reiner rejects a postponement of the PPWR regulation. \u201eWe have to endure the pressure and get back on track now,\u201c he demands. He sees trade as a beacon of hope, which, through its market power, can exert consolidated pressure points \u2013 and thus drive change in the value chain, where regulatory pressure alone reaches its limits.<\/p>