What is the IPNR and how does it affect us?

SCT-STRAW and the entire plastics sector have been attentive to the entry into force of the new tax called by its initials IPNR as of January 1, 2023. This is a tax that seeks to discourage the use of virgin plastic and non-reusable plastic packaging and products. To achieve this, a payment of €0.45 per kg of virgin plastic used will be required.

 More specifically, this tax is applied in two contexts:

1. Non-reusable packaging containing plastic and designed to contain, protect, handle, distribute, and present the product.

2. Semi-finished plastic products intended to obtain packaging and plastic-containing products intended to enable their closure, marketing, or presentation.

Exceptions to this tax include integrated packaging, those that are an integral part of the product and are used and disposed of together. Another exception is products not intended to be delivered with the product; a good example would be plastic hangers in clothing stores.

As we can understand, this tax severely affects manufacturers and importers across all sectors, being forced to significantly pass on the payment of this tax in the price of the final product or otherwise having to reduce the profit margin on the merchandise sold.

At SCT-STRAW, we are exploring new alternatives around the use of recycled materials and the circular economy to adapt to this new IPNR regulation and promote more sustainable practices in our plastics industry.