EU Tariffs on U.S. Polymers Threaten 50,000 European Plastics Companies, warns EuPC

EuPC Urges EU to Rethink Tariffs on U.S. Polymers Amid Threats to 50,000 European Plastics Firms; Advocates for Supportive Measures and Fair Competition.

The European Plastics Converters (EuPC) is sounding the alarm over the European Commission’s proposed tariffs on plastic polymer imports from the U.S., calling them a direct threat to Europe’s plastics converting industry — and the 1.6 million jobs it supports.

“These tariffs risk triggering a chain reaction of price hikes, reduced competitiveness, and job losses across the EU,” said Paolo Bochicchio, EuPC Managing Director. “They could seriously undermine Europe’s industrial and environmental goals.”

What’s at stake?

•  Raw material costs will skyrocket, hurting 95% of the industry made up of SMEs.

•  Imports of cheaper finished plastic goods will surge, further weakening EU manufacturers.

•  Thousands of jobs and critical supply chains — in food, medical, transport, and construction

• — are at risk.

•  Investments in recycling and circularity will stall, hitting Europe’s green ambitions.

EuPC’s message to Brussels:

✔️ Scrap the tariffs

✔️ Support SMEs with cost-offsets

✔️ Secure stable raw material supply

✔️ Level the playing field if tariffs move ahead — including for finished goods

“This is not the time to destabilise an industry that’s key to Europe's resilience, sustainability, and global competitiveness,” added Bochicchio.