This November, world leaders and civil society representatives will gather in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on Plastic Pollution. The session is expected to lead to a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics, from production through to disposal.
The urgency of this issue cannot be overstated. According to the OECD, global plastic waste is projected to nearly triple by 2060, from 353 million metric tons in 2019 to 1,014 million metric tons in 2060— an increase that could lead to devastating levels of pollution on land and in water, along with a significant rise in carbon emissions from the plastics’ production and disposal.
Why we need a legally binding global framework
At Borealis, we’re already working hard to rewrite the story of plastics, aiming to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in which plastics are designed efficiently, stay in circulation at their highest value for as long as possible, and have the smallest possible carbon footprint.
Regional regulatory measures are also supporting this effort: The EU’s forthcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) demonstrates how structured regulatory frameworks can encourage investment and spark innovation.
Yet regional and voluntary measures can only take us so far. As one of the 250+ members of the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty (BCGPT), convened by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund, we believe that global rules are good for both our planet and business.
Our stance is also echoed in a recent Open Letter ahead of INC5 in which 21 CEOs from across the value chain—all fellow members of the BCGPT—emphasize that only a legally binding treaty can provide the regulatory clarity and level playing field necessary to support large-scale investment and drive meaningful change across borders and industries; without a unified approach, we risk a future of fragmented, country-specific regulations that add complexity and cost—and, ultimately, hinder meaningful progress.
A clear set of binding commitments
This treaty represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish clear, globally harmonized rules that support a circular economy for plastics. To be effective, it needs to include binding commitments on:
Global criteria and lists that enable the restriction and phase out of chemicals of concern as well as problematic and avoidable plastic products.
Sector-specific approaches and global criteria for circular product design of plastic products, such as packaging.
Common definitions and key principles for the effective implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.
A strong mandate for the governing body to strengthen the agreement over time.
At Borealis, we’re committed to amplifying the Coalition’s efforts in each of these areas, as well as continuing to drive progress ourselves. In our integrated approach we’re combining a holistic view of the plastics lifecycle using breakthrough technologies to advance circularity and continually reduce the share of plastics that are made from fossil fuels. One example is our Borstar® Nextension technology, which supports the transition to fully recyclable monomaterial solutions, making plastics more compatible with circular systems.
Voluntary action like this shows that progress is possible—and while the negotiations in Busan aim to bring top-down change, the plastics value chain cannot afford to wait. We must continue working together at every level to drive tangible progress from the ground up, demonstrating the leadership and commitment that will transform the treaty’s vision into real-world impact.
Building a framework for lasting change
In the lead-up to INC-5, the BCGPT signed the Bridge to Busan declaration - reaffirming their commitment to develop an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. With limited time remaining, it may not be possible to finalize every detail at INC-5, but it is essential to agree on the critical building blocks and deliver a treaty that is fit for purpose - an ambitious treaty with the scope and resolve to accelerate the industry’s shift to circularity.
Comments