Europe Recycled Plastics Market to Hit 20.2 Million Tons by 2034 with a Robust CAGR of 4.2%

The Europe recycled plastics market size reached 13.89 Million Tons in 2025 and is forecast to reach 20.2 Million Tons by 2034, with a CAGR of 4.2% from 2026 to 2034. This growth is driven by sustainable packaging emphasis, stricter environmental regulations, and wide adoption of extended producer responsibility programs. The market is also propelled by government policies promoting recycling infrastructure across packaging, automotive, and construction industries. Consumer preference for eco-friendly products further accelerates demand.

Study Assumption Years
Base Year: 2025
Historical Period: 2020-2025
Forecast Period: 2026-2034

Europe Recycled Plastics Market Key Takeaways
The market size was 13.89 Million Tons in 2025 with a CAGR of 4.2%, projected to reach 20.2 Million Tons by 2034.
Plastic bottles hold the largest source share at 38% in 2025, boosted by deposit return schemes and advanced recycling technology.
Packaging is the leading application with a 49% share in 2025, driven by sustainable packaging demand and recycled content mandates.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) dominates plastic types with 42% share in 2025, due to strong collection systems and recyclability.
Germany leads by country with 24% market share in 2025, backed by advanced waste infrastructure and comprehensive deposit schemes.

Sample Request Link: https://www.imarcgroup.com/europe-recycled-plastics-market/requestsample

Market Growth Factors

Key drivers include European regulation and related legislation for recycled content requirements in plastics, such as the SUPD, which mandates higher minimum recycled content for PET beverage bottles and ambitious collection rate targets for separate collection of plastic bottles. In parallel, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) implements similar legally binding recycled content targets for all plastic packaging, ensuring demand, collection and recycling investments.

Many major consumer goods and packaging companies have set ambitious packaging sustainability promises which include commitments to reach certain levels of recycled content across their portfolio of packaging beyond existing regulatory minimum commitments, as part of the firms' Environmental, Social, and Governance strategy, pushing recyclers to expand their facilities to improve processing quality. Thus, sustainable packaging creates goodwill and consumer loyalty and satisfies the verbalized expectations of stakeholders.

Deposit return schemes and separate collection systems for packaging are expanding across EU member states. Germany achieves over 98% collection rates with retailer involvement and incentives provided for consumers. Several other countries are implementing or have announced similar schemes, as well as improvements in feedstock quality including new advanced sorting technologies.

Market Segmentation
Source
Plastic Bottles: Largest source segment with 38% share in 2025, supported by established collection infrastructure targeting single-use beverage containers. Deposit return schemes across the EU have improved PET bottle collection and recycling rates. Advanced recycling technologies enable production of food-contact quality recyclates.

Application
Packaging: Dominant application holding 49% share in 2025. Driven by recycled content mandates and consumer demand for sustainable packaging in food, beverage, and personal care sectors. Innovations in recycling achieve food-grade standards, strengthening packaging's role as primary recycled plastics consumer.

Plastic Type
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): Market leader with 42% share in 2025, owing to excellent recyclability and extensive beverage packaging use. Investments have expanded capacity to meet recycled content targets using mainly mechanical recycling, with chemical recycling gaining in contaminated stream applications. Bottle-to-bottle recycling is prevalent.

Country
Germany: Leading country with 24% share in 2025, supported by high-performing deposit return scheme, advanced waste management, and strong manufacturing demand for recycled content. Expanded deposit requirements include milk and dairy containers, augmenting collection volumes. Germany invests in multiple recycling technologies, fostering sustainable plastics management.

Regional Insights
Germany dominates the Europe recycled plastics market with a 24% share in 2025, attributed to its comprehensive waste infrastructure and world-leading deposit return scheme achieving collection rates over 98%. The country's strong manufacturing sector drives demand for recycled materials, supported by stringent regulations and investments in both mechanical and chemical recycling technologies.

Key Players
Veolia Environnement S.A.
SUEZ S.A.
Berry Global Inc
LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
TotalEnergies SE
Borealis AG
Paprec Group
Morssinkhof Rymoplast B.V.
MBA Polymers, Inc
Jayplas Ltd.

Competitive Landscape
The European recycled plastics market features a moderately concentrated competitive landscape with established waste management conglomerates and specialized recyclers. Key players invest in capacity expansion, technology, and strategic partnerships. Focus areas include chemical recycling technologies and supply chain integration, aiming to produce virgin-quality recyclates for demanding applications.

Customization Note:
If you require any specific information that is not covered currently within the scope of the report, we will provide the same as a part of the customization.

Contact Us
IMARC Group,
134 N 4th St. Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA,
Email: sales@imarcgroup.com,
Tel No: (D) +91 120 433 0800,
United States: +1-201971-6302

About Us
IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that helps the world's most ambitious changemakers to create a lasting impact. The company provide a comprehensive suite of market entry and expansion services. IMARC offerings include thorough market assessment, feasibility studies, company incorporation assistance, factory setup support, regulatory approvals and licensing navigation, branding, marketing and sales strategies, competitive landscape and benchmarking analyses, pricing and cost research, and procurement research.

This release was published on openPR.