The plastics ecosystem is firmly on a transition where companies design out waste, keep resources in use as long as possible, extract the maximum value while in use, then recover and regenerate valuable products and materials at the end of life. Moreover, this transition is taking place within the broader structural shifts of energy transition as fuels demand peaks, raising the plastics demand risk profile and bringing forward challenges to balance emissions with circular plastics end of life goals.

The plastics transition to circularity raises critical questions that must be addressed through common goals and standards, with supporting data to determine the best path forward.

1. How do companies understand and sort through the complex interplay between production and recycling economics, emissions, societal needs, and resources?

2. To what degree and at what pace will post-consumer recycling infrastructure and technology scale and accelerate to meet targets?

3. What is the potential for any unintended consequences of regulations and policies along the entire value chain?

4. How will economics for circularity be developed and what role will policy play?

5. How do companies define their competitive position in a circular environment?