July 8, 2025 16:01

The Environment (ENVI) and Internal Market (IMCO) committees of the European Parliament have approved their report on the new End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Regulation with 79 votes in favor, 27 against and 11 abstentions. The text — due in plenary in September — confirms that the rules will apply one year after entry into force for cars and vans and after five years for buses, heavy-duty vehicles and motorcycles.

It also requires newly manufactured vehicles to be designed to facilitate the removal of components, extends producer responsibility and lays down tougher dismantling requirements and tighter controls on treatment plants.

As for recycled plastics, the committees propose a minimum content of 20% within six years, rising to 25% within 10.

These targets are exactly where PlasticsEurope, the association of European plastics producers, is raising the bar. According to managing director Virginia Janssens (pictured), the 25% recycled content originally put forward by the European Commission "is not only achievable but essential” from the first deadline, because it would unlock investment in the circular economy.

She therefore calls for clearer policies, cut red tape and a level global playing field, stressing the urgency of channeling capital into circular plastics.

PlasticsEurope also wants the count to include plastics made from biomass or sourced via carbon capture, while capping their contribution at 5% of the total to keep the focus on mechanical and chemical recycling.

Today, the association notes, biobased materials account for just 1% of the polymers processed in Europe, held back by high costs and limited policy support. Targeted, smart incentives, Janssens concludes, would help scale sustainable, circular plastics and keep Europe at the forefront of low-impact mobility and materials.

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