PLASTIC PACKAGING

Industry calls for relaxation of the 40% reusable quota for pallet films and strapping under PPWR / Numerous lawsuits pending

EU POLICY

Parliament plenary session passes US trade deal / Council deliberations could begin in April / Final approval not expected before summer

PLASTICS PROCESSING GERMANY

Price hikes hit nearly all firms / Companies rarely able to pass on costs / Flood of force majeure declaration – GKV survey

MIDDLE EAST CRISIS

EuPC, Teppfa urge coordinated political action to end Middle East ‘energy war', cap prices

EU-US TRADE

EU nears ratification of US pact / Lawmakers advance delayed trade deal / Showdown looms amid Iran war turmoil

RECYCLASS

European plastics recyclability initiative expands guidance across packaging, durable goods sectors

UKRAINE

Customs Service introduces plastics waste classification / New rules to facilitate EU entry / Plastics industry grapples with war-related challenges

MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT

German industry association urges plastics converters to reject unjustified force majeure notifications / Speaks of involving antitrust authorities

EU POLICY

Commission adopts ‘Made in Europe' proposal / Move aims to restore region's competitiveness, boost decarbonisation / Coalition launches circular campaign

EPR UK

Government provides fee shortfall from packaging scheme / Deficit caused by ‘shortage in tonnages' reported by producers

POLYMERS FOR EUROPE ALLIANCE

Voting on 2025 Polymer Producers Awards now open / Commitment to Europe focal point

PACKAGING WASTE LEGISLATION

Wrapping, straps officially exempt from 100% reuse targets under PPWR / EU Commission adopts delegated act

UPDATE - GLOBAL ECONOMY

MEPs delay vote on US trade deal – reports / Trump announces 15% global tariff rate

GLOBAL ECONOMY

US Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs / Next steps unclear / Business groups warn of more uncertainty

PLASTIC PACKAGING

Germany's federal cabinet approves PPWR Implementation Act / Recycling rate for plastic packaging rises to 75% / Criticism from industry bodies: ‘the political brakes are on'

PLASTICS AND ENVIRONMENT

Trump rescinds EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding / End to greenhouse regulation in US / Effect on manufacturing unclear

RECYCLING

UK FSA to certify domestic recyclate for EU food contact

SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

EU Commission unit signs off on new rules for recyclate in plastic bottles / Standardised mass-balance methods, restrictions on rPET imports up to 2027 included

EU POLICY

Urgent calls for help to stem bloc's deindustrialisation / Antwerp Declaration mired in the mud / Two major meetings in Belgium bring stakeholders together

PFAS

EU Commission to make 2026 a ‘year of action' on forever chemicals / New study quantifies risks for human health if substances are not banned