Plastic pellets play an essential role in the value chain, as they make conversion into more effective energy and resources products. But if they are not properly managed, they can involuntarily escape in the environment. Consequently, the proposal of the regulatory committee to prevent loss of plastic pellets.
The way in which the proposal to reduce pellet losses has been developed and is currently encouraging is encouraging.
The way in which the proposal to reduce pellet losses has been developed and is currently encouraging is encouraging. He recognizes that the solutions must be complete and coordinated throughout the value chain – from production and transport to storage, conversion and recycling. Likewise, he recognizes the diversity of the way companies manage pellets. Factors such as business size, installation design, automation level, type of resin and staff allocation are the most effective for mitigation measures.
Given the considerable operational complexity of prevention of pellet losses, there was a real risk that well -intentioned decision -makers in the Brussels offices are by default too normative solutions. Measures that could have been, at best, counterproductive when applied on site or during transport, and, at worst, would place European industry to another competitive disadvantage compared to the rest of the world. Instead, the recent political agreement seems to allow tailor -made risk management supported by third -party audit and certification – methods that we know from our experience with Operation Clean Sweep®, a voluntary industry initiative. A regulation that is based on voluntary action sends a strong message: Europe can reward and deactivate the first movers and can rely on the best practices in the industry.
This current downward trend undermines the ambitions of sustainability and circularity of Europe – as well as thousands of highly qualified jobs and the strategic industrial autonomy of the EU.
This is particularly important because the plastic industry in Europe faces serious competitiveness pressures. Production in Europe decreases rapidly due to high energy costs, cheaper imports and regulatory uncertainty, which interrupt new investments in Europe. This current downward trend undermines the ambitions of sustainability and circularity of Europe – as well as thousands of highly qualified jobs and the strategic industrial autonomy of the EU.
Intelligent regulations – such as compromise of pellet loss – can help relieve some of these pressures. It can provide predictability, level the rules of the game through the value chain and ensure that environmental protection, societal progress and industrial policy go hand in hand.
For the environment, it marks a significant step forward by taking voluntary efforts from some to compulsory requirements for all, ensuring coherent action throughout the value chain. Such a change will improve environmental protection, increase responsibility and surveillance and establish a more robust application and a continuous improvement process. For economic operators, it allows them to comply with these new obligations effectively and efficiently adapted to their specific situation. This approach also rewards the first movers who have already invested in measures to prevent pellet losses on site and are well placed to comply with the expected new regulatory requirements.
We now urge the European Parliament and the Council to quickly approve the compromise reached on this file.
This is why we think that the political agreement awaiting the approval of the decision-makers is a win-win. We now urge the European Parliament and the Council to quickly approve the compromise reached on this file. The finalization of the legal text will give companies the certainty they need to invest in long -term solutions and help achieve societal and environmental objectives without sacrificing the industrial base of the EU.
This proposal can be a model for the development of future policies; Whoever offers a positive societal impact and contributes to (future) investments in Europe, without involuntary consequences. This shows that with the right approach, Europe can and should be both clean and competitive. At a time when the European plastics industry was rapidly declining – marked by closings of production sites, thousands of job losses and growing imports – any positive signal deserves to be celebrated. Hopefully it is to continue; And fast.
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