少收了近5000亿元！欧洲塑料产业正处于“悬崖边缘”

Core Insights - The European plastics industry is facing a significant decline in competitiveness, with market share and sales dropping sharply, while sustainability efforts are stagnating [1][2][3] Group 1: Market Performance - The market share of the European plastics industry has decreased from 22% in 2006 to an estimated 12% in 2024 [1] - Sales in the industry have fallen from €457 billion in 2022 to €398 billion in 2024, a reduction of €59 billion or 13% [1] - In contrast, global plastic production increased by 4.1% last year and has grown by 16.3% since 2018, with Asia producing 57.2% of the world's plastics, and China alone accounting for 34.5% [1] Group 2: Challenges Faced - European manufacturers are grappling with high energy costs, climate-related taxes, and rising raw material prices, which are undermining competitiveness and accelerating asset sales and shutdowns [2] - The EU's trade deficit in plastic polymers is expected to improve slightly in 2024, decreasing from 8 million tons in 2023 to 2 million tons, primarily due to a 10% increase in export volumes [2] - Changing tariffs pose a serious threat to the EU plastics industry, with the U.S. being the largest source of polymer imports, accounting for 18.9% of the total [2] Group 3: Recycling and Sustainability - The EU's previous leadership in the circular economy for plastics has been overtaken by China and other Asian countries, with recycled plastics making up only 15.4% of total production in the EU in 2024, amounting to 8.4 million tons [2] - Mechanical recycling rates have only increased by 2.7% to 7.7 million tons, while chemical recycling remains stagnant at 1.1 million tons [2] - In contrast, global recycled plastic production is projected to reach 43.9 million tons in 2024, surpassing 10% of total plastic production for the first time [2] Group 4: Call for Action - The European plastics industry is at a critical juncture, with calls for government support and policy measures to stimulate investment and build resilient supply chains [3] - The industry leaders emphasize the need for immediate and decisive actions to secure the future of local plastic production and reduce dependency on external sources [3]