MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA RECYCLED PLASTICS MARKET (2025 - 2030)

The Middle East and Africa Recycled Plastics Market was valued at USD 1.39 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach a market size of USD 2.18 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2025-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8%.

The Middle East and Africa Recycled Plastics Market is the region that focuses on activities relating to the collection, processing, and repurposing of both post-consumer and industrial plastic waste in order to be able to take the waste for the different industries and use it in the form of raw materials. The market is fueled by a growing eco-consciousness, the imposition of strict regulations by governments on the release of plastic, and the increasing use of cheap and eco-friendly materials in packaging, construction, automotive, and consumer goods sectors. The region features a shift towards the use of state-of-the-art recycling methods, such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and energy recovery processes, to clean and upgrade the materials recovered from recycled plastics in order to be used further. The industry's players keep on pumping money into high-tech solutions if only to make recycling more efficient, diminish greenhouse emissions, and tick the corporate sustainability box. Beyond that, partnerships among private players and governments are speeding the advancement of solid recycling infrastructure and supply chains. The market is first driven by the uncertainties in the cities' population growth and lifestyles, and consumers' awareness of the necessity of choosing eco-friendly products. The Middle East, as a result of the contribution of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is very active in establishing recycling plants, whereas Africa's developing market presents enormous growth potential due to the increased usage of plastic and the commencement of local recycling initiatives. All in all, the market embodies a bold move towards circular economy practices as well as sustainable industrial growth.

Key Market Insights:

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, the plastics industry contributes approximately 6% to the regional GDP. By 2030, a projected global shortfall of up to 25 million tons of recycled plastic presents a substantial market opportunity. Addressing this gap could generate significant economic benefits, including job creation and GDP growth. PwC

A survey indicates that consumers in the Middle East are willing to pay a premium of up to 10% for products made from recycled plastics. This growing demand underscores the importance of sustainability in consumer purchasing decisions and presents opportunities for businesses to capitalize on eco-friendly product offerings.

The use of recycled plastics in building materials can reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 2% to 2.5% in the GCC region by 2040. Additionally, substituting traditional materials with recycled plastics could create up to 13,000 jobs and boost GDP by $2 billion to $3 billion. This shift not only supports environmental goals but also stimulates economic growth through innovation and job creation.

In the MENA region, an estimated 20% to 30% of waste collection and sorting operations are conducted informally, outside regulated frameworks. This informal sector poses challenges to effective recycling and waste management. Addressing this issue through formalization and regulation could enhance recycling rates and improve environmental outcomes.

Market Drivers:

Rising Environmental Awareness and Regulatory Support are Accelerating Recycled Plastics Adoption.

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is going through a major change to sustainability, which is largely driven by the increased environmental consciousness of governments, industries, and consumers. The issue of plastic pollution has raised concerns all over the region, which in turn has resulted in the implementation of stricter regulations and the giving of incentives for recycling activities in such countries as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. Companies are going out of their way to be compliant by investing in state-of-the-art recycling technologies like chemical recycling and automated sorting systems, and at the same time, they are improving their operational efficiency. On the other hand, eco-conscious consumers are fueling the demand for sustainable packaging and construction materials, thus giving recycled plastics the upper hand as a material of choice. The interplay between policy support and increased environmental awareness is leading to the establishment and rapid unfolding of a structured market for recycled plastics throughout the region.

Rapid Industrial Growth and Circular Economy Integration are Boosting Market Expansion.

By and large, the demand for recycled plastics in the Middle East and Africa is being driven by the robust industrial growth of the regions, such as the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. Companies are progressively turning to recycled materials as part of their supply chains to achieve cost savings while at the same time, they meet their sustainability goals. Circular economy principles help to ensure that waste is continually reused as a source of raw materials, thereby cutting down on the use of virgin plastics. A range of technological improvements, including polymer blending techniques and energy-efficient recycling plants, has raised the quality and the range of applications of recycled plastics to meet the needs of different industries. Also, the establishment of large-scale recycling hubs in countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt is not only consolidating regional supply networks but also facilitating sustainable industrial development and hence expanding the market.

Market Restraints and Challenges:

The recycled plastics market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region is still going through some major challenges, which, despite the growth potential, have prevented the full development of this market. The absence of proper recycling infrastructure in many countries results in poor handling of plastic waste and limited processing, which in turn leads to environmental pollution and health hazards. At the same time, fragmented and insufficient regulations cause regulatory risks for enterprises and slow down the pace of market development. On the other hand, the high recycling costs, such as collection, sorting, and processing operations, still make recycled plastics less competitive in comparison with new plastics, thus, weak demand in price-sensitive markets. Ignorance of the public about proper waste management contributes to lower-quality feedstocks and negatively affects the recycling rate. Besides that, recycled plastics are most of the time considered to be lower in quality and, therefore, have been used less in industrial applications. If policy gaps go hand in hand with economic difficulties and together, they escalate the problem, then in particular countries, where the implementation of plastic bags or incentives is a challenge, the situation is even worse. To tackle these problems, the MEA countries must plan joint expenditure on the recycling infrastructure, harmonize regulatory frameworks, run educational campaigns, and, at the same time, invest in improving the image of recycled products to create an environment beneficial both for the recycled plastics market and for sustainable development across the MEA region.

Market Opportunities:

The recycled plastics market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is full of growth potential, as it is driven by a mix of factors including regulatory support, technological innovation, and changing consumer preferences. Environmental policies with strict provisions, such as single-use plastic bans and Extended Producer Responsibility programs, are being put in place by governments all over the region and are thus encouraging investments in the recycling infrastructure. Technology improvements like chemical and enzymatic recycling are making the recycled plastics more efficient and of higher quality, and at the same time, the rising demand for sustainable products by consumers is pushing industries to use recycled content in packaging, textiles, and other applications. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are implementing strategic measures to become regional recycling hubs, and adherence to international sustainability standards is opening the way for exports to global markets. In sum, these factors are allowing the players to leverage a growing circular economy, upgrade the local recycling capabilities, and satisfy the demand both at home and abroad for high-quality recycled plastics.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA RECYCLED PLASTICS MARKET

Market Segmentation:

Segmentation By Type:

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Polystyrene (PS)
• Others
   

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is the leading recycled plastic material in the Middle East and Africa that has a major share of the recycled plastics market. PET is a well-known packaging material, especially for bottles and food containers, as it is durable, light in weight, and has excellent recyclability. The need for r-PET is highly stimulated by the trend toward eco-friendly packaging solutions that the beverage and food industries are readily adopting. Policies aimed at phasing out single-use plastic and the increasing number of consumers who prefer environmentally friendly products are some of the factors that are strengthening PET’s dominant position in the region.

Polypropylene (PP) represents the most rapidly expanding market segment. Recycled PP, being a durable material, finds its usage in the mentioned sectors, namely, automotive components, electrical and electronics applications, and consumer goods, due to the material's inherent versatility and its high resistance to chemical and thermal stress. The massive industrialization and automotive production trend in the likes of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and South Africa are thus the main factors that are leading to the swift incorporation of recycled PP in those sectors. Besides that, the subsegment is witnessing an uptrend owing to the technological breakthroughs in the recycling processes that result in cost-efficient productions of high-quality PP.

Segmentation By Application:

• Packaging
• Building and Construction
• Textiles
• Automotive
• Electrical and Electronics
• Household Goods
• Agriculture
• Healthcare
• Others
   

The packaging is the biggest and main use of the MEA recycled plastics market by application. The segment's dominance results from the two industries of the region, i.e., consumer goods and e-commerce, that are rapidly growing and thus require packaging solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective. In general, recycled plastics, especially PET and HDPE, are the main sources of bottles, containers, and flexible packaging; thus, they contribute both to the environment and to acceding to stricter regulations on single-use plastics. The extensive utilization of recycled plastics in packaging is mainly due to the increase in consumers becoming aware of the need for sustainability and companies' commitments to the circular economy initiatives in the Middle East and Africa.

MEA recycled plastics market has the application segment of Building and Construction, which is growing at the fastest rate. The need for cheap and green construction materials is the main factor behind this expansion, as recycled plastics are being used in more and more parts for construction, such as in pipes, insulation, roofing sheets, and so on. The process of urbanization and the development of the infrastructure in major countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa have contributed to the significant increase in the use of recycled plastics in construction. Besides this, the technological improvements in recycling methods, along with the government subsidies encouraging the use of eco-friendly building practices, are giving a strong impetus to this sector, which is growing very rapidly.

Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis:

• United Arab Emirates
• Saudi Arabia
• Qatar
• Israel
• South Africa
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• Egypt
• Rest of MEA

It is Saudi Arabia that leads the Middle East and Africa recycled plastics market. This is mainly due to the country’s large industrial base and increasing focus on eco-friendly manufacturing. A well-developed recycling system in the country, together with state-supported programs aimed at cutting plastic waste, has made it the biggest market in the region. To a large extent, the leadership role of the kingdom borders on the major spending on high-tech recycling methods and the forming of long-term cooperative relationships with recycling companies from all over the world that have made it possible for packaging, construction, and automotive to have a constant supply of good quality recycled plastics.

The UAE is the most rapidly expanding local market sector for recycled plastics within the Middle East and Africa. The country's expeditious implementation of circular economy measures, in addition to the growing awareness of the need for environmental sustainability among consumers, is creating a strong demand for recycled plastics. Grants provided by the government to environmentally friendly projects, such as the creation of recycling centers and the implementation of smart waste management programs, are speeding up the market growth. The emphasis of the country on next-generation recycling technologies and the engagement between the private and public sectors are likely to keep the UAE as the regional market with the fastest growth.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the demand for recycled plastics in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) regions in many ways, changing supply chains and demand patterns in these areas. During the first period of the pandemic, the lockdowns and restrictions that were imposed everywhere interrupted the collection, sorting, and processing of post-consumer plastics, resulting in recycling operations being bottlenecked in some locations. At the same time, the demand for recycled plastics in the sectors of the industry, such as automotive, construction, and electronics, decreased due to the decline of industrial and commercial activities. The packaging of essential goods, especially food and healthcare products, however, had a growth trend. The increased demand for hygiene products and single-use plastics has also temporarily changed consumption patterns; thus, recyclers have been put under pressure to adapt quickly. Nevertheless, the situation has led to a rapid increase in the awareness of the sustainability of the practices, and governments in the region have started to implement more policies and incentives that are supportive of circular economy initiatives. Corporations have started to use digital technologies more for the tracking of waste streams and automation of recycling facilities so that they can continue with their operations even if they face disruptions. The recovery after the pandemic has been characterized by these factors as well: the renewed recycling investments that have been made, the new emerging technologies that allow for more efficient sorting, and the stronger partnerships between the private and public sectors. To sum up, COVID-19 was like a double-edged sword: it posed a challenge to the MEA recycled plastics market, but at the same time, it was a catalyst that forced the market to innovate, strengthen its resilience, and keep sustainability as a priority to be able to meet the changing environmental and economic demands.

Latest Market News:

• In March 2025, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Austria's OMV announced a $60 billion deal to merge their petrochemical assets, resulting in the creation of Borouge Group International. This entity specializes in polyolefins, a group of plastics derived from oil and gas. The merger positions Borouge as the fourth-largest polyolefins company globally and the second-largest outside China. Both ADNOC and OMV hold nearly 47% of the shares, with the headquarters in Austria and the company listed in Abu Dhabi. This strategic move reflects ADNOC's diversification into sustainable chemicals and energy sectors.
   
• In July 2025, the United Arab Emirates launched the first polyethylene terephthalate (PET) chemical recycling plant for ocean-bound plastic waste in the Middle East. This facility aims to address plastic pollution by converting ocean-bound plastics into high-quality recycled materials suitable for various applications, including food-grade packaging. The initiative underscores the UAE's commitment to advancing recycling technologies and reducing environmental impact.

Latest Trends and Developments:

The recycled plastics market in the Middle East and Africa is gradually expanding, and the growth is largely influenced by the increasing supporting regulations, technological innovations, and growing demand from consumers of eco-friendly products. Authorities in the region implement strategies as the prohibition of single-use plastics and programs of extended producer responsibility, to decrease plastic waste and foster the practices of the circular economy. In addition, the different industries, such as packaging, construction, and automotive, are using more recycled plastics to lessen their environmental impact, as technological advancements in recycling processes are making the conversion of mixed plastics into high-quality reusable materials more efficient. Firstly, companies have fueled the establishment of recycling plants that are equipped with the latest technology and innovative solutions in order to increase material recovery, cut costs, and satisfy their sustainability goals. Moreover, increased consumer awareness and preference for green products have become a powerful marketing tool that is, in turn, further inducing adoption, thus enabling the MEA recycled plastics market to experience substantial growth and last change of nature.

Key Players in the Market:

• BariQ (Egypt)
• Bee’ah (UAE)
• Consent FZCO (UAE)
• RECAPP (UAE)
• Middle East Plastic Industries (Saudi Arabia)
• Mr. Green Africa (Kenya)
• SAN Recycling (UAE)
• SUEZ (UAE)
• Veolia (UAE)

GreenPlast Industries (UAE)