Plastics are not only omnipresent in food packaging, but are also an important commodity in international trade. Millions of tons of plastic products — from packaging materials to plastic granules to recycled plastic — are transported across continents every year. But while plastics enable efficient storage and safe transportation, both logistics and the environment face major challenges.

How can the worldwide transport of plastic products be made more sustainable? What role does plastic play in recycling and the circular economy? And which plastics dominate global trade?

Plastic as a global commodity

The plastics industry is closely linked to the logistics sector. Plastic products are shipped in huge quantities, whether in the form of raw materials, finished packaging or recycled plastic. The transportation of plastic waste for recycling in particular is a major issue: While some countries such as Germany aim for high recycling rates, others export large quantities of plastic waste to countries with lower processing costs.

In recent years, the rules for exporting plastic waste have become significantly tighter. China, once the biggest importer of plastic waste, closed its borders to many types of plastic waste in 2018. Since then, exporters have had to find new paths — either through a more efficient circular economy in their own country or by exporting to other customer countries with appropriate recycling capacities.

Challenges when transporting plastics

The global trade in plastics presents logistics companies with various challenges:

• Packing & storage: Plastics often have to be transported in special containers, as temperature fluctuations or humidity can change the material properties.
• Sustainability & environmental aspects: The transportation of plastic products creates emissions, and poorly recyclable materials often end up in landfills or the environment.
• Recycling logistics: Recycled plastics must be collected, sorted and transported efficiently. The return to production cycles also plays a role here.
• Regulations & trade restrictions: Due to new environmental laws and export bans, companies must find alternative transport routes and recycling options

The most important plastics in transportation and recycling

In addition to logistics itself, the type of plastic plays a major role in transportation and recyclability.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — recycling champion in deposit systems

PET is particularly recyclable and is transported worldwide in large quantities — both in the form of new packaging and as recycled material for reuse in bottles or textiles. In Europe in particular, the deposit system plays a central role in the efficient return of PET bottles into circulation.

Polyethylene (PE) — global all-rounder

Polyethylene is one of the most frequently transported plastics worldwide.

• High density polyethylene (HDPE) is often shipped in the form of granules and used as raw material for packaging or canisters.
• Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is often used as film material for pallet packaging and protective films.
  Both variants are easily recyclable, but often contain contaminants that require post-processing.

Polypropylene (PP) — Sturdy and widely used

This plastic is often used for containers, bottle caps or packaging films. PP is particularly well represented in the area of transport packaging and industrial applications. However, there are still challenges when it comes to recycling, as PP is often mixed with other plastics.

Polystyrene (PS) — A plastic in retreat

Polystyrene, known as Styrofoam, is often used for transport packaging. However, due to poor recyclability and high environmental impact, this plastic is increasingly being replaced by alternatives.

Sustainability in plastic transport — solutions for the future

The transport of plastics worldwide poses environmental problems, but also offers potential for sustainable innovations:

• More efficient logistics processes: Emissions can be reduced through optimised routes, bundled transport and modern packaging methods.
• Reusable and circulatory systems: Companies are increasingly relying on closed loops in which plastics are collected, recycled and reused after use.
• New recycling technologies: Mechanical and chemical recycling help to process plastics more efficiently and produce high-quality recyclate.
• Stricter environmental standards: New legal requirements aim to limit environmentally harmful plastic transport and promote sustainable production.

Conclusion

Plastics are an essential part of global trade, both as a raw material and as a recycled material. But global transport poses major challenges for the environment and logistics. Sustainable solutions are needed — from more efficient recycling methods to optimised transport chains. Anyone working in the sector must adapt to new regulations and more environmentally friendly alternatives at an early stage.