Plastics Europe Leads the Construction of a Plastic Circular System
2026-1-13
Recently, the Brussels-based Plastics Europe announced that Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, has taken over as Chairman of the Association on January 1, 2026, succeeding Benny Meermans, Vice President and Head of Sustainability at Chevron Phillips Chemical. The Association clarified that Ingram will take the lead in driving the development of the industry¡äs circular economy and enhancing industrial competitiveness. On behalf of the Association, Ingram emphasized that while the construction of a circular plastic system is achievable, it requires collaborative actions across the entire value chain, as well as urgent policy measures to safeguard this strategically vital industry in Europe. These efforts will help the industry get back on track and achieve the circular economy goals urgently needed by Europe.
Ingram stated that the European plastics industry is at a critical turning point. Two years ago, the industry already defined its vision for a sustainable plastic system, but the current industrial landscape has undergone drastic changes, and competitiveness is facing unprecedented pressure. According to the annual data released by the Association in October 2025, Europe¡äs global market share of plastic production has plummeted from 22% in 2006 to 12% in 2024, which confirms that the industry¡äs competitiveness is declining rapidly and continuously, and is on the verge of collapse.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of the Association, said that under Ingram¡äs leadership, the Association will advance the transformation roadmap, aiming to achieve 65% circularity of plastic products and climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Meanwhile, the Association has elected three Vice Chairmen, who are senior executives in relevant businesses of Dow Chemical, Borealis and Evonik Industries Group respectively. The polymer output of the Association¡äs member enterprises accounts for more than 90% of the total output of the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Ingram stated that the European plastics industry is at a critical turning point. Two years ago, the industry already defined its vision for a sustainable plastic system, but the current industrial landscape has undergone drastic changes, and competitiveness is facing unprecedented pressure. According to the annual data released by the Association in October 2025, Europe¡äs global market share of plastic production has plummeted from 22% in 2006 to 12% in 2024, which confirms that the industry¡äs competitiveness is declining rapidly and continuously, and is on the verge of collapse.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of the Association, said that under Ingram¡äs leadership, the Association will advance the transformation roadmap, aiming to achieve 65% circularity of plastic products and climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. Meanwhile, the Association has elected three Vice Chairmen, who are senior executives in relevant businesses of Dow Chemical, Borealis and Evonik Industries Group respectively. The polymer output of the Association¡äs member enterprises accounts for more than 90% of the total output of the 27 EU member states, as well as Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.