Steel for Packaging Europe publishes 2026 recycling report. Steel for Packaging Europe, which represents the continent's five major steel packaging producers, has published its 2026 recycling report, setting out policy recommendations on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes.
According to SfPE's independently verified figures published in 2025 using the EU's harmonised methodology, 82 per cent of steel packaging placed on the European market was 'really recycled' in 2023, meaning it entered actual recycling operations rather than being only collected. The trade body argues this makes steel the most widely recycled packaging material in Europe.
The report, launched in Brussels at the 'Shaping Europe's Circular Future' event, calls for EPR fees to reflect the actual cost of recycling for each packaging material. SfPE's members include Acciaierie d'Italia, ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel, thyssenkrupp Rasselstein and U.S. Steel Košice.
Packaging firm Pact Group has invested in Plan B Circular, the UK textile-to-textile polyester recycler behind Project Re:claim, its joint venture with the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). The deal aims to scale polyester recycling ahead of EU legislation expected in 2028.
Sixteen international partners led by Danish Technological Institute have launched InFACT, a project to turn household flexible plastic waste such as crisp packets, coffee bags and meat films into new packaging, including food packaging. Less than 15 per cent of this material is currently recycled.