The EU’s proposed End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation aims to enhance circularity in the automotive sector by setting ambitious recycled plastics targets. John Mortell, Senior Policy Manager at Plastics Europe, and a speaker at the upcoming IARC 2025, discusses how this initiative can drive sustainability, support industry investments, and strengthen Europe’s recycling ecosystem.
The automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers of primary raw materials, including plastics. Millions of vehicles in Europe reach the end of their life every year, turning into waste. When these end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) aren’t properly handled, they become an environmental hazard and result in the loss of millions of tonnes of valuable materials—weakening both the planet and the economy. That’s why driving circularity in the automotive sector is so critical. Through the ELV Regulation, the European Union aims to prevent and limit waste from end-of-life vehicles and their components and to improve the environmental performance of all economic operators involved in the life cycle of vehicles.
In July 2023, the European Commission proposed a new Regulation on end-of-life vehicles. The proposal includes a 25% recycled plastics target, along with a 25% closed loop target (6.25% total) from existing automotive waste. As part of the legislative process, the European Parliament and the Council (EU Member States) are now assessing the Commission’s proposal. With both working in parallel, we can expect final positions by summer 2025 and possibly a full agreement on the ELV by the end of the year. Their decisions will have a major impact on how vehicles will be designed in the future. They will also give much-needed signals to both the recycling and plastics industries about where to invest in the coming decade.
While there is broad support for ambitious sustainability goals, differences are emerging both from legislative bodies and industry stakeholders. The European Parliament’s recent report, for example, led by MEPs Jens Gieseke and Paulius Saudargas, calls for a 20% target, as opposed to the Commission’s 25%. However, it recognises the essential role of bio-based plastics and chemical recycling as technologies for the future, alongside increased mechanical recycling.
While these elements are promising, Plastics Europe remains concerned about the broader health of the plastics industry in Europe. Our latest data on the state of the European plastics system (Plastics – the fast Facts 2024) revealed a steeper-than-expected downturn in the production of plastics and, for the first time, a decrease in mechanically recycled plastics production in 2023. Compared to 2022, total EU plastics production saw a sharp decline of 8.3%, falling to 54 Mt, while production of mechanically recycled post-consumer plastics also dropped by 7.8%, reaching 7.1 Mt.
These figures contrast with a 3.4% global increase in plastics production and mean that Europe’s share of the global market has further declined to 12%. That’s why Plastics Europe supports the Commission’s overall target of 25% but with a dedicated 5% of that target reachable from bio-based or CCU-based plastics. Mandatory recycled content targets are needed to stimulate market demand for circular plastics in Europe, especially given the increased import of cheaper plastic resins that do not always meet the EU’s environmental standards.
With the automotive sector being the third-largest user of plastics in Europe, setting clear, ambitious, and achievable targets for recycled plastic content is critical. A move towards greater circularity in the automotive sector will have a major impact on Europe’s overall sustainability goals. Strong policies can support Europe’s green ambitions while maintaining economic competitiveness and material security. A well-structured ELV framework will provide the recycling industry with the market confidence it needs to invest in advanced, sustainable technologies for automotive plastics.
Beyond automotive applications, Plastics Europe is working towards a broader transition to a circular plastics system in Europe. This is highlighted in our Plastics Transition roadmap, which provides a pathway towards achieving 65% circular plastics by 2050 – combining mechanically and chemically recycled plastics with bio- and CCU-based plastics. While we are steadfast in implementing this vision, its success depends, amongst other factors, on the right enabling policy framework. Policies such as the ELV will be instrumental in delivering on our transition ambitions.
As we head to Antwerp for IARC 2025, Plastics Europe calls on all stakeholders to work towards an ambitious, binding legislative target for recycled content in automotive plastics to ensure that the benefits of plastics are continued in a circular system. A strong, forward-looking approach to end-of-life vehicles will ensure a thriving European recycling industry that supports both environmental goals and the long-term viability of the plastics industry in Europe.
