This study aimed to establish a Material Flow Analysis model (MFA) for the whole value chain of plastics in the EU-27 in 2022, from polymers production to end-of-life plastic management and recyclates production.

The MFA analysis focused on nine sectors (Packaging, Construction, Transport, Electronic, Agriculture, Textiles, Healthcare, Fishing and ‘Other’). Thanks to the granularity of data achieved in this study, these sectors were further detailed via polymer-specific MFAs, capturing a total of 15 different polymers.

Results indicated that packaging and construction are the most important sectors among those assessed, contributing respectively to 33.9% and 18.3% of total plastic consumption. The average end-of-life recycling rate among all sectors is 19.6%.

The transition to circularity in the EU needs support from policymakers and stakeholders at all levels – and that will require indicators and metrics. Complementary indicators need to be developed which expand the focus of traditional efforts to give greater attention to higher-value circularity activities and allow for the specificity of relevant policy focus areas, economic sectors and material streams.

This document is the final report of a 2-year project to identify and investigate opportunities for innovation in monitoring circularity across the EU. 

It provides a baseline of policy and funding frameworks and monitoring efforts across 11 priority policy themes. 60 indicators were tested as part of the project, with conclusions and recommendations for each of the individual policy areas.