The European Commission has given the green light for €500 million in state aid.
 

According to the Commission's communication, the aid scheme notified by France, which is designed to promote the chemical recycling of certain types of plastic waste, mainly concerns trays, films and bottles without food contact, as well as textile materials with a certain polyester content. The scheme aims to promote chemical recycling technologies that can be used to convert mixed or contaminated plastic waste back into raw materials as good as new. It is intended to contribute to the EU's goal of integrating production and consumption processes into a cycle as part of a broader transformation of industry towards climate neutrality. Within this framework, aid is to be granted in the form of direct grants. The scheme is open to companies of all sizes and from all sectors, according to a European Commission communication. Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice President for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, explains: ‘The French scheme approved today will support investments in the chemical recycling of plastics. The scheme will contribute to the EU's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 by promoting the use of existing resources through efficiency and the circular economy.’ At the same time, the scheme should ensure that any distortions of competition are kept to a minimum.
 
Sources:

• Press release  EU-Kommission (3.2.2025)
• Photo: © European Commission - Audiovisual Service