Summary:
The position paper presents key recommendations from the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) industry to the future European Commission, aimed at stimulating 'green growth' while ensuring competitiveness. The EPS industry supports the European Green Deal’s objectives, recognising its importance in achieving the EU’s climate targets. EPS is vital for energy-efficient insulation in buildings and for reducing food waste through innovative packaging. However, the industry faces challenges from stringent regulations that put European manufacturers at a disadvantage compared to global competitors. These challenges are exacerbated by external factors like high inflation, energy costs, and political instability.
To address these issues, EUMEPS suggests several measures, including making cohesion funds available for insulating buildings, investing in skilled labour, ensuring material and technology neutrality in legislation, and closing loopholes in sanctions and import regulations. The paper also emphasises the need for recycled plastics to compete with virgin materials and proposes extending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to chemicals and plastic raw materials. These recommendations aim to create a level playing field, ensuring the competitiveness of the European EPS industry while supporting sustainability goals.