Versatile and inexpensive, plastics are widely used and in demand. Demand in the sector continues to grow. The plastics industry is increasing production despite society’s environmental awareness.

     Global plastic production amounted to 322 million tonnes, 58 million tonnes of which for Europe in 2015. It is a functional and aesthetic material. Its operation affects nearly 60,000 European companies creating a turnover of more than 340 billion euros in 2015. In 2018, total demand for plastics amounts to 51.8M tonnes per year, or approximately 5,000 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower.

     The poor adaptability of the defense system of the elderly and their reduced local antioxidant capacity are all factors that aggravate their sensitivity to air pollution. It should be remembered that these pollutants (ozone, VOCs, particles, SO2, NO2) attack and contribute to the deterioration of the human respiratory system. The consequences are then numerous such as the increase of respiratory affections, the deterioration of the ventilatory function, the resurgence of the cardiovascular morbidity or even, the damage of the defenses of the organism. Likewise, air pollution weakens the respiratory tract by amplifying pollen allergies.

     Plastic remains a key material for today's economy but turns out to be a real danger to sustainable development. Today, almost a third of all plastic packaging worldwide leaks into ecosystems and pollutes our environment. At present, only 14% of the plastic packaging used worldwide is recycled. A very low figure, given the fact that the latter is the sector with the highest demand for plastics. But this sector is far from being the only “consumer” of plastics. Other sectors actively use this resource: among others, construction: --> Consult our page on BTP & circular economy , automotive, electronics and electrical, and agriculture.