New report: the plastic recycling roadmap for Flanders
Production, processing and recycling of plastics are crucial for Flemish industry, but are under pressure. Flanders, as an important petrochemical region, wants to maintain and strengthen its position by accelerating the transition to a circular economy. Commissioned by WEWIS, OVAM and VLAIO, Deloitte developed a roadmap for plastics recycling. This offers a strategic vision based on a thorough analysis of the current situation and future scenarios. The roadmap formulates recommendations to position Flanders as the recycling hub of Europe. It responds to challenges such as raw material supply, permits and financing of innovation. Learn more about the contents of the report.
Becoming the recycling hub of Europe
The roadmap fits within the Flanders Circular Chemistry and Plastics Work Agenda and aligns with European initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal and the Circular Economy Act. The ultimate goal: a carbon-circular and low-carbon industry by 2050.
In this context, the Department of Work, Economy, Science, Innovation and Social Economy (WEWIS) together with the Public Waste Agency of Flanders (OVAM) and Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) commissioned Deloitte to develop a roadmap for plastics recycling in Flanders. This roadmap is based on a thorough analysis of the current situation and scenarios for the future. The recommendations formulated aim to position Flanders as the plastic recycling hub of Europe.
The present context is one of increasing uncertainty and concerns about the competitiveness of industry in Europe. The “Antwerp declaration” made by numerous business leaders from manufacturing sectors in February 2024 in the presence of Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and then-Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, illustrates that European companies are struggling to compete in a global market. Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced a Clean Industrial Deal that includes a Circular Economy Act. These initiatives emphasize both the importance of Flemish competitiveness and the importance of accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
The roadmap provides a strategic vision to address these challenges and position the region as a leading player in the circular economy. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the Flemish economy, reduce dependence on primary raw materials and contribute to the transition to a carbon-circular and low-carbon industry by 2050.
Transforming Flanders
The production of polymers, the processing of plastics and the recycling of plastic materials are important pillars of modern industry and society. However, these sectors face significant challenges including in their transition to a circular economy. The need to reduce dependence on primary raw materials, reduce emissions and increase sustainability requires innovative solutions and cooperation between various actors.
Flanders is a major petrochemical hub in Europe, with a large production capacity for a variety of plastics and a strong SME landscape with numerous plastics processors. The region is a net exporter of both polymers and finished plastic products. To preserve and strengthen this valuable part of the economy, Flanders has expressed its ambition to transform the value chain toward the circular economy.
To support and accelerate this transition, policies must support the development of a new part of the economic value chain. However, this structural change brings with it new challenges such as the supply of sufficient raw materials (feedstock), obtaining permits within a reasonable timeframe or securing sufficient funding for the required innovation in recycling technologies. The Flanders Circular Chemistry and Plastics Working Agenda brings together all stakeholders to work together on the challenges for this transition. Of the various actions defined by the Work Agenda, one of them led to this study.
The current state of polymer production, plastic processing and recycling
The report provides an overview of the current state of polymer production, plastic processing and recycling in Belgium, including existing plastic recycling capacity and infrastructure. This overview shows that Belgium plays a significant role in polymer production within Europe, with an estimated production capacity of 7,398,500 tons per year in 2022 or almost 15% of total European capacity. Total polymer production in Belgium in 2022 is estimated at 5,909,777 tons, which represents a utilization of about 80% of available capacity.
The Flemish chemical sector is highly integrated and well developed, with large clusters in Port of Antwerp-Bruges and along the Albert Canal. As such, Flanders accounts for 77% of Belgium's polymer production capacity.The plastics processing sector in Belgium is smaller than polymer production, but still important and export-oriented, with total processing of 2,381,699 tons by 20222. Packaging constitutes the largest application, followed by building & construction and textiles. Flanders accounts for 79% of the conversion of plastics in Belgium.
The total consumption of plastics in Belgium in 2022 is estimated at 1,352,585 tons, with packaging again being the largest application. In terms of plastic waste processing, incineration is the most common processing method, at 668,075 tons or 71%. Of the total 944,106 tons of plastic waste generated, 120,753 tons (13%) were recycled in Belgium.
In line with population numbers by region, Flemish consumption and waste generation accounts for about 60% of the national volume. Recycling companies in Belgium are just slightly more likely to be located in Flanders, so Flanders accounts for 63% of plastics recycling in Belgium.
Three scenarios with future projections
This report presents three scenarios with future projections: the baseline scenario, the pessimistic scenario and the circular scenario. The results for each scenario are summarized in the table below.
The “baseline scenario” assumes a continuation of current trends, with a slight decrease in plastics production and conversion. Toward 2050, an increase is expected in the amount of recycled plastic waste with mechanical plastic recycling as the dominant processing method.
In the “pessimistic scenario,” the Flemish industry loses competitiveness, leading to a greater decrease in production and conversion. Although more plastic waste is recycled compared to 2022, the share of incineration remains significant.
In the “circular scenario,” an ambition is expressed: 20-50 by 2050. Here the goal is a circular plastic value chain, with 20% of polymer production and 50% of plastic conversion consisting of recycled materials by 2050. This requires significant efforts to increase collection for recycling to 798,151 tons and imports of plastic waste to 2,708,636 tons by 2050. Various recycling technologies, including polymer, monomer and feedstock recycling, play an important role. Significant investments will need to be made to build sufficient recycling capacity.
While these investments are risky and uncertain, they offer opportunities for technological innovation and efficiency improvements. The circular scenario also offers the greatest benefits in terms of emission reductions, with a decrease in emissions per ton of plastic produced and converted.
Strategic vision, technological acceleration
To achieve the ambitious goals, structural measures are needed. These include stimulating demand for recycled materials, supporting the supply of recycled materials, accelerating technological development, and encouraging investment in Flanders. Policy measures, financial incentives and investment support are crucial to support these measures and promise economic profitability for investments.
The roadmap for plastics recycling in Flanders provides a strategic vision to position the region as a leader in the transition to a circular economy. The findings in the report highlight that each link in the plastics value chain plays a crucial role in the transition to a circular economy.
Polymer production, plastic conversion and plastic waste recycling will be closely linked and integrated. Depending on the type of polymer and end application, a combination of mechanical plastic recycling, polymer recycling, monomer recycling and feedstock recycling is necessary to increase sustainability and reduce dependence on fossil resources. In addition, improvements in logistics, pretreatment and sorting are essential to ensure the quality and quantity of recycled materials and increase the economic profitability of recycling. These synergies between different innovative recycling technologies form the core of a forward-looking strategy that can position Flanders as a leading hub for plastics recycling in Europe.