October 2025
The global recycled engineering plastics market size was valued at USD 4.85 billion in 2024 and is expected to hit around USD 7.89 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.99% over the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The growth of the market is driven by the growing demand for valuable and thermal property materials, and demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials alternative to traditional plastics drives the growth of the market.
What Is The Significance Of The Recycled Engineering Plastics Market?
The significance of the recycled engineering plastics market lies in the advancing environmental sustainability and demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials, which increases the demand for the material, aligning with the sustainability sue to rising environmental concerns. The ability to reduce waste and decrease energy consumption, and lower greenhouse gas emissions is also a major factor for growth. The growing application in various industrial sectors further drives the growth of the armlet.
Report Attributes | Details |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 5.09 Billion |
Expected Size by 2034 | USD 7.89 Billion |
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 4.99% |
Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
Dominant Region | Asia Pacific |
Segment Covered | By Product, By Recycling Process, By Application, By Region |
Key Companies Profiled | MEastman Chemical Company, Trinseo, Veolia Environnement, Borealis, Dow Inc., Indorama Ventures, Alpek S.A.B. de C.V., Far Eastern New Century Corporation, Berry Global Inc , Plastipak Holdings, Inc. , Biffa |
The key technological shift in the recycled engineering plastics market is the advancement in recycling, especially chemical recycling, which helps create high-quality materials which is similar to those of traditional virgin plastics but with more durable and enhanced properties, aligning with the growing environmental concerns.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence and ML in the sorting and production of advanced materials and the development of enhanced and advanced additives and composites, which help in enhancing the properties of recycled plastics, creates a growing demand and opportunity for the growth of the market with improved processing efficiency.
Region / Country | Regulatory Body | Key Regulations / Standards | Focus Areas | Notable Notes |
United States | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ASTM International | - Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - EPA Recycling Framework (2021) - ASTM D7209, D7611 – resin identification and recycled content standards - FDA 21 CFR 177 – for recycled plastics in food contact |
- Post-consumer recycled (PCR) certification - Waste recovery and recycling guidelines - Material safety for reuse in packaging and automotive |
U.S. initiatives focus on increasing recycled content and product traceability. California mandates 30% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2028. Automotive and electronics sectors promote closed-loop recycling. |
European Union | European Commission (DG ENV), European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) | - EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) - Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) - EU Plastics Strategy (2018) - REACH & RoHS compliance - EN 15343 – traceability of recycled plastics |
- Material traceability and safety - Recycled content certification - Hazardous substance limits (RoHS/REACH) |
The EU enforces mandatory recycled content targets in packaging and automotive components. The EN 15343 standard defines a chain-of-custody for recycled polymers. |
China | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), General Administration of Customs, Standardisation Administration of China (SAC) | - Circular Economy Promotion Law (amended 2018) - GB/T 40006-2021 – Recycled plastics classification - Catalogue of Waste Import Restrictions (2021) |
- Recycled plastic quality standards - Waste import restrictions - Industrial recycling and sorting standards |
China has banned the import of post-consumer plastic waste since 2018. Focus on domestic recycling under the “Made in China 2025” green manufacturing initiative. |
India | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | - Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended 2022) - IS 14534:1998 – Guidelines for recycling of plastics - EPR Guidelines, 2022 |
- Extended producer responsibility - Quality and traceability of recycled resins - Ban on non-recyclable plastics |
India mandates EPR targets for producers and importers to source from registered recyclers. BIS is working to upgrade standards for recycled engineering-grade plastics (ABS, PC, PA6). |
Japan | Ministry of the Environment (MOE), METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), JISC | - Plastic Resource Circulation Act (2022) - JIS K 6922, K 6924 – standards for recycled and biodegradable plastics |
- Recyclability labelling - Industrial waste recovery - Quality testing and safety |
Japan focuses on high-purity mechanical recycling and chemical depolymerisation of engineering plastics for electronics and automotive reuse. The 2022 Act strengthens eco-design mandates. |
How Did The Polycarbonate Segment Dominate The Recycled Engineering Plastics Market In 2024?
The polycarbonate segment dominated the market in 2024. Recycled polycarbonate is widely used for its durability, heat resistance, and transparency, making it ideal for automotive lighting, electronics casings, and construction components.
Growing environmental awareness and technological advancements in material recovery have boosted the use of recycled polycarbonate in high-performance engineering applications across multiple industries.
Recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene segment expects significant growth in the recycled engineering plastics market during the forecast period. Recycled ABS offers strength, toughness, and flexibility, making it suitable for automotive interiors, electronic housings, and consumer goods. Its cost-effectiveness and ability to maintain key performance characteristics after recycling are driving its demand in manufacturing sectors, emphasising sustainability and waste reduction.
Which Recycling Process Segment Dominated The Recycled Engineering Plastics Market In 2024
The mechanical recycling segment held the largest market share in 2024. Mechanical recycling remains the dominant process for engineering plastics, involving physical reprocessing methods like shredding, melting, and remoulding. It offers cost efficiency and is ideal for materials like ABS and polycarbonate, though quality control and contamination remain challenges for achieving high-grade recycled outputs.
The chemical recycling segment expects fastest growth during the forecast period. Chemical recycling is gaining traction as it breaks down plastics into monomers for re-polymerisation, restoring material properties equivalent to virgin plastics. This method supports circularity and addresses limitations of mechanical recycling, especially for mixed or contaminated plastic waste streams, promoting high-value material recovery in engineering applications.
How Did the Automotive Segment Dominate the Recycled Engineering Plastics Market In 2024
The automotive segment dominated the market in 2024. The automotive sector extensively utilises recycled engineering plastics for lightweight, durable, and sustainable vehicle components. Parts such as dashboards, bumpers, and lighting housings are increasingly made from recycled ABS and polycarbonate, helping manufacturers reduce carbon emissions and comply with environmental regulations.
The electrical & electronics segment expects significant growth in the recycled engineering plastics market during the forecast period. In electrical and electronics, recycled engineering plastics are used for casings, connectors, and insulation components. Their superior strength and thermal stability make them suitable for high-performance devices. Growing e-waste recycling initiatives and sustainability-focused product design are driving adoption across consumer and industrial electronics manufacturing.
How Did Asia Pacific Dominates The Recycled Engineering Plastics Market In 2024?
Asia Pacific dominates the recycled engineering plastics market in 2024, due to rapid industrialisation, increasing adoption of sustainability practices, and strong demand from the automotive and electronics sectors. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are investing heavily in recycling infrastructure to reduce plastic waste and promote circular economy initiatives.
China Has Seen Significant Growth, Driven By The Huge Manufacturing Base
China represents the largest market within the Asia Pacific, driven by massive manufacturing capacity and government policies encouraging plastic recycling. The nation’s focus on sustainable material usage, technological advancements in recycling, and growing automotive and electronics production make it a central hub for recycled engineering plastic adoption.
North America Market Has Seen Growth, Driven The Presence Of Strong Regulatory Bodies
North America is expected to have significant growth in the market in the forecast period. North America shows robust market growth supported by stringent environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals. Increased recycling of high-performance plastics such as polycarbonate and ABS is driving their use in automotive, electronics, and construction applications, while advanced recycling technologies enhance material recovery and reduce environmental footprint.
The United States has Seen Growth In The Market, Which Is Influenced By The Demand For Sustainable Materials
The United States leads the North American market due to strong circular economy initiatives, expanding recycling facilities, and rising corporate commitments to sustainable materials. The automotive and electronics sectors particularly drive demand, with growing investments in mechanical and chemical recycling innovations to improve recycled plastic quality and performance.
By Product
By Recycling Process
By Application
By Region
October 2025
October 2025
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September 2025