Plastic packaging in a circular economy

Plastic packaging is front-and-centre in the battle with plastic waste; the durability of the material – combined with the disposable nature of most applications – means that bottles, trays and films building up in the natural environment are a very visual reminder of the challenges posed by the sector. Yet, plastic packaging provides a vital service in preserving and protecting many of the goods and services associated with the modern economy. The challenge, then, is what needs to happen so that the sector can continue to deliver its undoubted benefits while rapidly reducing its environmental footprint. A transition to a more circular economy is a big part of the answer, and in this Insight we look at some of the results from our new Circular Plastic Packaging Report, including which markets, polymers and applications will grow fastest, which are most exposed to sustainability trends within the industry, and where recyclate availability will grow fastest.