Plastics processors report sales growth beset by uncertainties

Cost explosion stifles important investments

Despite the uncertain economic situation, German industry, as noted above, is still committed to the goals of a circular economy and climate protection. However, the associated high costs are naturally slowing down the willingness to invest in these areas as well. According to the survey, urgently needed investments in energy efficiency, climate protection, modernisation of production and digitalisation are currently on hold.

In this context, GKV President Roth referred to the newly founded initiatives „Wir sind Kunststoff“ and „Dein Kunststoff“ (“We are plastics” and “Your plastics”). Here, the industries of the plastics value chain have joined forces, starting with production, through mechanical engineering and processing, to recycling and disposal, it was explained. The GKV President hopes that politicians will engage in an objective dialogue with the industry and users of plastic products and work together to develop sensible solutions to existing problems.

Closing the recyclable material loop takes cooperation

Roth continues: "If a sustainable circular economy is really to be achieved, the new requirements must be included in the customers' criteria catalogues, as well as in those of retailers and consumers. Everyone must therefore understand that a successful change of direction should not always be managed by the other partner, but also requires a change of thinking on their part and corresponding actions. This is all the more important because plastics have once again proven to be a versatile and irreplaceable problem solver during the Covid pandemic.

No future without plastics!

Looking ahead to the new business year, GKV President Roland Roth said at the Ash Wednesday press conference: “German plastics processing companies will continue to get the best out of polymers and prove that they can help solve society's problems”.(Source: U. Schepp / GKV) — Looking ahead to the new business year, GKV President Roland Roth said at the Ash Wednesday press conference: “German plastics processing companies will continue to get the best out of polymers and prove that they can help solve society's problems”.
(Source: U. Schepp / GKV)

Despite everything, however, the GKV president remains optimistic. He believes that German plastics processors will continue to make the most of polymer materials in 2022 in order to successfully tackle the tasks ahead. In doing so, Roth promised, the industry will prove that, despite all the doomsaying, plastics can play an essential role in overcoming the challenges facing society and, in particular, the environment.

(ID:48060950)

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

Plastics industry