Expert Insights Take Center Stage at CRE Conference 2026
Chemical Recycling Europe convenes industry leaders, regulators and investors for a conference and networking dinner in Brussels as the sector pushes from pilot plants to industrial scale.
BRUSSELS, Belgium– On 29 & 30 September, the entire circular plastics value chain gathered in the Belgian capital for Chemical Recycling Europe’s conference and networking dinner. Under the theme "Getting Ready for 2030 Targets: Powering Circular Plastics Made in Europe", the two days brought updates on technology scaleups, an honest look at the sector’s readiness to meet the 2030 targets, and a frank discussion of what it will take to build the right demand across Europe.
The event, organized by CRE, the association representing Europe’s chemical recycling industry, drew over 130 participants from across the value chain, from policymakers, researchers, technology providers, petrochemicals, brand owners, investors to waste managers.
A sector at an inflection point
The timing is deliberate. Chemical recycling has spent years proving itself in demonstration units. The question now is whether Europe can make the rules clear enough to drive investments andenable technology providers to scale up fast enough to support the value chain in meeting the PPWR targets alongside mechanical recycling.
Thefirst session focused on policy, especially on the time-sensitivity around the swift implementation of the PPWR through dedicated implementing and delegated acts on mass balance, import equivalence, and sustainability criteria for recycling technologies, and the contribution of chemical recycling to Europe’s resilience. The second session turned to brands, exploring their contributions and opening an honest dialogue on who bears the cost of circularity. The third session was a particular highlight, with CRE members presenting progress and investments across the chemical recycling industry. The discussions spanned new projects, scaling up plants for efficiency, value chain integration, technology advancements, industry partnerships, and investments. Thefinal session tackled a key industry topic: upgrading. Industry leaders presentedfirst-of-a-kind investments already underway and made clear that regulatory clarity is essential to drive demand and make these projects economically viable.
“A lot of companies have invested ahead of regulation, so the discussions today revolved around what measures we can take to ensure that the costs are shared across the value chain. No one industry can do this singlehandedly. So, what we took away from this year’s conference is how we can actually build significant demand ahead of 2030 by working together and leveraging existing policies,” said Valentijn de Neve, CRE President.
Where the deals begin
The networking dinner is where much of the real work gets done. In an industry where a single project can link a waste collector, a technology licensor, a refiner and a consumer brand, introductions made over a meal often become supply agreements months later.
CRE’s membership has expanded steadily, most recently with the addition of BUSS ChemTech AG, AXENS, SynPet Technologies, Aduro Clean Technologies Inc, Kolmar and Helix Projects - these new and long- standing members alike were among the attendees.
“The aim of the Chemical Recycling Europe’s Annual Conference is to bring the entire value chain under one roof, giving leaders the opportunity to meet and network with peers, share ideas and engage in important dialogues tofind solutions together. I am proud that the forum continues to enable this every year,” said Valentijn de Neve, CRE President.
The gathering comes as European policymakers weigh how chemical recycling should count toward the bloc’s recycled-content and circular-economy goals - decisions that will help determine how much capacity is built, and where.
About Chemical Recycling Europe (CRE)
Chemical Recycling Europe is the European association representing the chemical recycling industry and the circular plastics value chain. Its mission is to promote and implement innovative technologies that convert plastic waste into valuable resources, contributing to a circular economy. CRE is an active voice in driving policy for Europe’s circular transition.
Media Contact
Federica Gallicchio, CRE Secretary General.