Viridor to close European chemical recycling operations

Plastics recycling markets remain under significant pressure, with weak demand due to uncertainty in regulations  and low-cost virgin imports making the sector commercially uninvestable  without policy changes
Following a local consultation and extensive efforts to identify alternative options, Viridor has taken the difficult decision to close its European chemical recycling business

Viridor today announces that, following a local consultation and extensive efforts to identify a viable path forward, it has taken the difficult decision to close its European chemical recycling operations in Oslo, Skive and Malmo. The closure of all operations will be completed by the end of June 2026.

This decision comes despite significant operational progress across the business. Since acquiring the Quantafuel platform, Viridor has achieved dry yields of 70-75%, and has demonstrated the ability to successfully recycle contaminated household plastics that cannot be processed through conventional mechanical recycling methods.

Viridor has long called for stronger policy support and greater regulatory certainty to help create the conditions needed for the sector to grow and attract investment, and believes advanced plastics recycling has an important role to play in the circular economy. However, current market dynamics and continued policy uncertainty mean conditions are not yet supporting the sector commercially. Demand for recycled material has weakened, while cheaper virgin materials continue to undercut recycled alternatives. At the same time, policy and regulation are not creating the certainty, enforcement or long-term support needed to continue operations.

Viridor remains committed to delivering a circular economy, preventing waste from going to landfill and supporting decarbonisation. While advanced plastics recycling has a vital role to play, stronger market conditions and policy support are needed for the sector to succeed.

Lee Hodder, Managing Director, Carbon Capture and Circular Solutions at Viridor, said: “Following consultation with employee representatives and extensive efforts to explore alternative options, we have taken the difficult decision to close our European chemical recycling operations.

This is a difficult day, particularly for the colleagues directly affected, and our priority is to support them through this transition. I want to thank everyone across Quantafuel for their commitment, expertise and hard work. Together, they have demonstrated that this technology works and made significant operational progress.

Advanced plastics recycling has an important role to play in the circular economy, but without stronger market conditions, greater regulatory certainty and the right policy support, the sector is not commercially viable. We remain committed to delivering a circular economy and hope the conditions will exist in the future for this technology to fulfil its potential.”