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ORPLAST - Financial policy to support the use of recycled plastics
Published on 29 July 2021
France
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
In 2016 in France, about 4.8 million tons of virgin plastics were produced every year, creating 3.8 million tons of waste. Only a few parts of plastics waste were collected and sorted, and an even fewer part of recycled plastics were actually reused:
• Lack of knowledge and expertise from plastic producers
• Negative perception of recycled resins quality
• Virgin resins cheaper than recycled ones
• Cost to adapt the manufacturing process to include recycled resins
ORPLAST is a financial incentive policy launched to support and increase the use of recycled resins by plastic producers, and regulate the market of recycled resins (cost, supply, demand).
The support provided is divided into three pillars:
• Financial support for feasibility studies and assessments for the integration or increase of recycled resins use
• Financial support for investing into a sustainable production process
• Support for the supply to guarantee a competitive cost
The financial policy is implemented as a call for project for companies. Submitted projects must respect these criteria:
• Use of recycled resins in addition or as a substitute for virgin resins
• Use of recycled resins considered over the long term
• Evolution of the whole value chain to be considered
The direct beneficiaries of the good practice are plastic producers. The second indirect beneficiaries are the plastic recycling companies benefitting from the demand growth.
• Lack of knowledge and expertise from plastic producers
• Negative perception of recycled resins quality
• Virgin resins cheaper than recycled ones
• Cost to adapt the manufacturing process to include recycled resins
ORPLAST is a financial incentive policy launched to support and increase the use of recycled resins by plastic producers, and regulate the market of recycled resins (cost, supply, demand).
The support provided is divided into three pillars:
• Financial support for feasibility studies and assessments for the integration or increase of recycled resins use
• Financial support for investing into a sustainable production process
• Support for the supply to guarantee a competitive cost
The financial policy is implemented as a call for project for companies. Submitted projects must respect these criteria:
• Use of recycled resins in addition or as a substitute for virgin resins
• Use of recycled resins considered over the long term
• Evolution of the whole value chain to be considered
The direct beneficiaries of the good practice are plastic producers. The second indirect beneficiaries are the plastic recycling companies benefitting from the demand growth.
Resources needed
The good practice requires a financial support (€26 million for ORPLAST 1 & 2 combined) as well as a national coordination capacity (for selecting and accompanying the projects). The ADEME is responsible for launching the calls for projects, selecting the beneficiaries, and financing the policy.
Evidence of success
Following the success of the first call, two other ones were launched in 2018 and 2020 (ORPLAST 2 & 3)
In total, 104 projects have been financed by ORPLAST 1 and 2, for a total amount of 26 million euros.
A survey conducted upon the beneficiaries highlighted these positive impacts:
- Increase of the use of recycled plastics : an average of 29 kt/year (high evolution for building and automotive sectors)
- Improved competitiveness (valuable competences over the market)
- Job creation
In total, 104 projects have been financed by ORPLAST 1 and 2, for a total amount of 26 million euros.
A survey conducted upon the beneficiaries highlighted these positive impacts:
- Increase of the use of recycled plastics : an average of 29 kt/year (high evolution for building and automotive sectors)
- Improved competitiveness (valuable competences over the market)
- Job creation
Potential for learning or transfer
The financial tool could easily be transferred both at the regional and national level to any stakeholder, authority willing to invest in recycled resins use.
This financial tool covers the whole value chain and is therefore a way to support several types of stakeholders, companies and regulate efficiently the market of recycled resins.
A stakeholder responsible for the coordination and financing of the policy is required.
This financial tool covers the whole value chain and is therefore a way to support several types of stakeholders, companies and regulate efficiently the market of recycled resins.
A stakeholder responsible for the coordination and financing of the policy is required.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
ADEME
France
Pays de la Loire
Contact
Project manager