Europe’s plastic manufacturers are steadily losing market share to China and are struggling to meet environment and climate targets, a study has found.

According to industry body Plastics Europe, Europe’s share of the global sector fell sharply from 22% in 2006 to 14% in 2022.

While the amount produced increased slightly from 53.9 million tonnes to 58.8 million tonnes, soaring global consumption rates meant the sector lost ground overall. China, meanwhile, increased its share of global plastic production from 21% to 32% during the same time period.

“If this continues, Europe will become increasingly dependent on imports that do not necessarily meet EU sustainability standards, and the ability of European plastics producers to invest in circularity, and the transitions of the many sectors that rely on plastics, will be undermined,” the report said.

It also found that circular plastics now account for 13.5% in new plastic products manufactured in Europe, meaning the sector is now halfway...