CEPI Says Recycling Sector Ready for ‘Made in Europe’ Policy

Why It Matters

The proposal could lock in circular supply chains, reduce resource imports and boost EU manufacturing competitiveness while supporting climate goals.

Key Takeaways

• EU paper recycling rate hits 87% across member states
• CEPI backs “Made in Europe” using bio‑based, circular materials
• Sustainable forests and recycling reduce fossil‑fuel dependence
• Digital tracking proposed to streamline intra‑EU recycled material flows
• Minimum EU content rules aim to protect jobs and sovereignty

Pulse Analysis

The European Union has positioned circularity at the core of its industrial strategy, with the Clean Industrial Deal and the revised Bioeconomy Strategy emphasizing bio‑based substitutes for fossil inputs. Paper, as the most recycled packaging material, exemplifies this shift: Eurostat reports an 87 percent recycling rate for paper and board across the bloc. By leveraging sustainably managed forests and high‑efficiency collection systems, the sector can supply low‑carbon feedstock for a range of products, reinforcing the EU’s ambition to decouple growth from resource imports. These circular loops also lower landfill pressure and cut greenhouse gas emissions. CEPI’s statement underscores that the necessary infrastructure already exists.

State‑of‑the‑art sorting, baling and shredding equipment, much of it produced by European manufacturers, ensures high‑quality secondary fibre streams. Coupled with digital tracking proposals, these tools can guarantee traceability and prevent bottlenecks in intra‑EU shipments. Moreover, forest statistics from the FAO show a steady increase in both total forest area and sustainably harvested zones since the 1990s, providing a reliable long‑term supply of biomass for paper and emerging bio‑based materials. Investment in advanced sensor networks further enhances material recovery rates.

Policymakers now face the task of translating this readiness into binding legislation. Minimum EU content rules, as advocated by CEPI, could protect domestic manufacturers while remaining WTO‑compliant, fostering investment in new facilities and high‑skill jobs. However, the sector must address fibre degradation after multiple pulping cycles and ensure that forest management standards stay stringent. A coordinated EU funding scheme could accelerate research on fibre regeneration technologies. If the EU successfully aligns trade policy, digital logistics and sustainable sourcing, the paper and broader bio‑economy could become a model for resilient, low‑carbon industrial growth worldwide.