Steel for Packaging Europe (SfPE) has presented its 2026 recycling report, „Steel Ahead: Packaging for a circular future“ at the Shaping Europe’s Circular Future event in Brussels, hosted by SfPE.
Today, as packaging and recycling legislation continues to evolve, the new report illustrates how steel for packaging demonstrates leadership in compliance, recycling and circularity, focusing on policy initiatives and technical developments.
„Steel Ahead: Packaging for a circular future“, also offers an advanced and practical understanding of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and the significance of allocating the correct EPR fees for each material, that reflects the real cost of recycling. It concludes with a series of calls to action for EU decision-makers and offers policy perspectives to support the effective implementation of Europe’s circular economy framework.
Steve Claus, Secretary General of Steel for Packaging Europe, said: “By focusing on the policy structures that identify and regulate the steel for packaging environment and on technical developments in steel recycling processes, this report presents an in-depth evaluation of the current state of the steel for packaging industry.”
“Our report also clearly illustrates why steel for packaging is the best choice to ensure compliance with the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), as well as underlining the importance of optimising collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure.”
Independently verified figures released by SfPE in 2025, calculated using the EU’s harmonised methodology, confirmed that 82% of steel packaging placed on the market was ‘really recycled’ in 2023, meaning it entered actual recycling operations, rather than just being collected. The announcement confirmed that steel packaging remained the most widely recycled packaging material in Europe, already meeting the strictest recyclability criteria as outlined in the PPWR.
The publication of the 2026 report has further emphasised the importance of steel packaging’s role in a circular economy including the key role steel scrap plays as a strategic resource which is essential for the sustainable production of new steel products, making a significant contribution to conserving valuable resources.
As SfPE continues to call for all EU institutions to maintain high levels of ambition in the drive to achieve a truly circular economy, the Association reiterates that the adoption and implementation of its 2026 recycling report recommendations will be integral to collectively build a greener, more sustainable future for Europe.
To obtain a copy of the report, please go to: Steel Ahead: Packaging for a circular future
Source: Steel for Packaging Europe (SfPE)
