The study provides insights into global and regional data on the plastics flow and shows progress in recycling and waste management.

Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH has compiled the study ‘Global Plastics Flow 2023’ on behalf of the BKV. Other cooperation partners include the GKV Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie (German Plastics Processing Industry Association), Messe Düsseldorf, the VDMA (German Engineering Federation) and the joint initiative of the plastics industry ‘We are Plastics’ (Wir sind Kunststoff). The survey, which was presented at the start of K 2025 in Düsseldorf and has already been referenced in the trade media, provides a comprehensive overview of the plastic life cycle in terms of production, consumption and recycling, including organised and unorganised waste management in 45 countries worldwide, based on the reference year 2023. The current study follows on from the 2018 analysis, but in addition to the packaging sector, it also covers the electrical/electronics and automotive industries.
 
The Global Plastics Flow 2023 study shows steadily increasing volumes in all stages of the value chain – from production and processing to the amount of plastic waste and waste management – compared to the first survey in 2018. Further growth rates are also expected for the future. According to the analysis, the degree of circular economy has improved slightly, with a global recycling rate of 12 per cent in 2023, but it is still below that of some regions, which already achieve over 30 per cent. The share of post-consumer recyclates used worldwide to manufacture new plastic products was around nine per cent in 2023. The study notes greater progress in waste and environmental management in countries such as the EU-27+3 (Norway, Switzerland and the UK), where the amount of plastic waste collected for recycling has risen significantly by an average of 5.9 per cent per year, while waste entering the environment has fallen by 0.6 per cent. For China in particular, the study reports a significant decline of almost ten per cent in improperly disposed plastic waste and an increase of 8.3 per cent in properly disposed waste. Nevertheless, with a total of 87 million tonnes, large quantities of plastic waste continue to be disposed of improperly worldwide. Nevertheless, this represents a percentage decrease in waste to 29 per cent. The study highlights a considerable need for improvement in this area and refers, for example, to the introduction of effective, nationwide waste management systems. According to the study, inadequate collection and treatment systems and inadequate political measures continue to pose a major challenge for global plastic waste management.
 
Further information: Download a summary of the results or order the full study
 
Sources:

• BKV GmbH (8.10.2025)
• Image: © Conversio Market & Strategy GmbH