EPO Releases New Insight Report: Plastics in Transition

Plastic waste poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human well-being, despite the vital role plastics play in modern society. Over the past thirty years, however, there has been a notable increase in innovations focused on recovering and recycling plastic waste—driving progress toward a circular economy. The latest trends highlighted in the European Patent Office (EPO) recent technology insight report align closely with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), as well as SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation), SDG 14 (Life below water), and SDG 15 (Life on land).

The technology insight report examines fifty years of innovation in plastic waste management, drawing on 12,924 unique inventions related to waste recovery (including separation and purification) and recycling (transforming waste into new materials). It also provides an overview of patenting trends among major industry players, emerging startups, and research institutions active in this field.

According to the report, innovation in plastic waste management has grown significantly faster than in other technological areas, with patent filings increasing 18-fold between 1990 and 2023. This upward trend became more pronounced after 2015 and saw a sharp acceleration in the 2020s.