April 2026 International Edition

Plast Echo International 2026 explores the European plastics industry at a time of mounting economic, regulatory and geopolitical pressure. This issue looks at the sector not only through the lens of technology and manufacturing, but also as a strategic part of Europe’s industrial resilience, raw material security, competitiveness and future production capacity.

The magazine opens with industry news and technology coverage, followed by an interview with Yağmur Eroğlu, founder of CERTILOOP, on recycled content certification and the growing importance of traceability, credibility and compliance in circular plastics.

A major part of the issue is devoted to strategic market analysis. Plastics Europe Poland argues that recycled plastics should be treated not only as an environmental objective, but also as a secure source of raw materials in uncertain times, essential for Europe’s industrial autonomy. Ton Emans, President, Plastics Recyclers Europe, looks at the deepening recycling crisis and outlines what must change if Europe wants to rebuild competitiveness and create a truly resilient circular plastics economy “made in Europe”. Robert Szyman, Managing Director, Polish Union of Plastics Converters (PZPTS), analyses the position of plastics processors in a new economic reality shaped by energy costs, regulatory pressure and fragile demand. László Bűdy, CEO, myCeppi, broadens the discussion by asking whether Europe’s chemical industry can still compete globally without deeper vertical integration and stronger industrial coordination.

The issue closes with two opinion pieces that sharpen the broader debate. Jakub Franek, CEO, Fameks Sp. z o.o., examines whether plastics processors can realistically afford transformation in 2026, when investment pressure collides with weak margins and hard financial constraints. Krzysztof Nowosielski offers a critical commentary on European energy and regulatory policy, questioning whether those dismissed today as alarmists may simply be right too early.