Gamechangers at the Plastic Table

The contributions from GCNE are included in the  GCNE Plastic Table Action Document May 2025.pdf

The rationale and background are extensively covered in this action document. Below is the final part of the letter.

GCNE Goals

1. To restore confidence in the role of the national government regarding circular plastics so that private parties feel encouraged to invest in gamechangers in the field of circular plastics, leading the transition towards innovative and sustainable solutions. Government loans alone are not sufficient.
2. To stimulate a substantial market for gamechangers (both large and small) to ensure that Dutch companies remain viable before the European PPWR incentivizes a market by 2030. This includes both bio-based companies and recycling.
3. To drive the further transition to circular plastics, investments in the circular economy, and the long-term earning potential of industrial clusters in the Netherlands, along with the strategic autonomy and competitive position of the Netherlands.

Key Points

1. GCNE supports a national blending obligation starting in 2027, preferably sooner.
2. The Plastics Table is a means to an end, not an end in itself. We believe that all interests should be adequately represented at the table. Gamechangers deserve a permanent place at the table because they are perhaps the most affected by the announced plastic measures of the national government, especially the delays thereof. If there are delays in measures such as a proper national plastic norm, companies will fail, and the value created by Dutch investments and patents will be lost. If societal organizations cannot connect, then MVO-Nederland might serve as a bridge.
3. We adhere to the deadline of ‘before summer’ as outlined in the Buijsse/Wingelaar motion for alternative solutions. If this deadline is not met, the old draft proposal should be reconsidered and fundamentally integrated into the decision-making process in August (Prince's Day). We do not want new studies and analyses that would cause further delays. There is sufficient knowledge available.
4. We aim for a blending obligation that restores confidence in the role of the national government and the investments of private parties in the circular economy (I) and creates a substantial market (II). Alternatives to a National Circular Plastics Norm should demonstrably have short-term effects, provide sufficient regulatory impact, and be adequately accountable and enforceable by GCNE. The same applies to product or tariff differentiation.
5. In comparison to the previous National Circular Plastics Norm, we propose several changes. Regardless of where the obligation is placed regarding the (National) Circular Plastics Norm, someone will feel the economic pain the most. Therefore, we propose to primarily mitigate the perverse (unintended) effects of the norm. This can be achieved by: 1) starting with a small percentage in 2027 and gradually increasing the norm towards 2030; 2) focusing on European recyclate and bio-based materials where transparency regarding origin and quality is clear and legally feasible; 3) maintaining a sensible relationship to European regulations to keep practical processes achievable and minimize administrative burdens. The PPWR should be considered; 4) doing everything possible to advocate for the gamechangers in the Netherlands by mitigating the leakage effect and preventing products processed abroad with plastic without a blending obligation from being relatively cheaper.
6. A plastic or polymer tax (framework agreement) or an alternative tax measure through tax revenues (spring statement) does not support the circular economy and primarily results in a burden increase for citizens or (fossil) companies, who will translate this tax into the price of their products. It is important that this is communicated clearly. GCNE prefers policy instruments that lead to circular market demand, as they provide greater (investment) certainty.

Team GCNE

• Marc den Hartog, Negotiator

• Djoeke Altena, Deputy Negotiator

• Arnold Stokking, Chair of Green Chemistry New Economy

• Nicole van Klaveren, Contacts with the Gamechangers, +31 6 232 278 19

• René Rouwette, Public Affairs/External Relations, +31 6 429 215 47

plastictafel@groenechemie.nl