Circular Plastics Alliance: relaunch with new working groups on trade, capacity and customs codes

The European Commission has relaunched the Circular Plastics Alliance as part of its broader support measures for the plastics recycling sector announced in December 2025. A new steering committee, including industry associations such as the European Waste Management Association (FEAD) and Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), will guide the initiative with the Commission acting as secretariat.

The alliance will resume its work through three dedicated working groups focusing on trade and market surveillance, as well as broader challenges affecting the plastics sector. Their objective is to assess key issues facing the EU plastics market, identify priorities for trade-related investigations and strengthen enforcement, including through training for customs and market surveillance authorities.

A further priority is the development of specific customs codes for recycled polymers to improve traceability and market transparency. In addition, the alliance plans to introduce regular market monitoring, including quarterly assessments of European plastics markets and global trade dynamics, and to identify structural weaknesses such as the impact of dumped or subsidised imports. Measures to stimulate demand for recycled plastics are also expected to be prioritised.

Originally launched in 2018 to support voluntary commitments under the EU Plastics Strategy, the alliance is now being repositioned as a broader platform to coordinate action across the plastics value chain and address structural challenges affecting circularity and competitiveness.

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