EU Steel Packaging Hits New High in Real Recycling Performance
Steel packaging achieved an all-time high recycling rate in the EU, reaching 82% in 2023. Steel for Packaging Europe announced this milestone, based on verified figures using the EU’s harmonized methodology. The metric tracks the amount of steel packaging that enters actual recycling operations—not just what gets collected.
Unlike many materials that degrade during recycling, steel retains its original quality. That durability makes it central to the EU’s circular economy plans. This new benchmark, up two percentage points from 2022, highlights steel’s growing role in lowering emissions and reducing energy consumption in manufacturing.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) now prioritizes recyclability based on true material recovery. Steel packaging consistently exceeds those standards, remaining the most recycled packaging material in Europe.
Why Steel Packaging Leads in the Circular Economy
Steel for Packaging Europe credits continuous investment in recycling systems and quality control for the sector’s success. Secretary General Steve Claus explains that recyclers convert used steel packaging into new products—like wind turbines, trains, or even more packaging—without any loss in quality.
He emphasizes that steel packaging also extends product shelf life and cuts down food waste. These advantages, paired with its environmental credentials, make steel essential to the EU’s green industrial policy.
However, Claus points out the need for more progress. He urges member states to improve collection systems and align national efforts. He also calls for stronger EU support to keep Europe’s steel packaging industry globally competitive. The upcoming EU Circular Economy Act, expected in 2026, will help unify standards and protect access to critical raw materials.
SuperMetalPrice Commentary:
Steel packaging’s 82% recycling rate in 2023 represents more than a technical achievement—it signals a pivotal shift in sustainable manufacturing. As circular economy policies intensify, materials like steel, which can be recycled forever without degradation, will set the global standard. Companies and governments must now back this momentum with better infrastructure and policy alignment.
Europe leads the world in steel packaging recycling, but rising international competition poses new risks. Maintaining this leadership will require not just innovation—but coordination. Steel remains a strategic asset in the clean tech economy. Its circularity must drive both policy and industrial competitiveness.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.