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Monitoring Eco-Efficiency and Its Convergence Towards Sustainability in the European Rubber and Plastics Industry Through Circular Economy Transition

Author

Listed:
  • George E. Halkos

    (Laboratory of Operations Research, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, 38333 Volos, Greece)

  • Jaime Moll de Alba

    (United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna International Centre, 1400 Vienna, Austria)

  • Panagiotis-Stavros C. Aslanidis

    (Laboratory of Operations Research, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, 38333 Volos, Greece)

  • Christina Bampatsou

    (Laboratory of Operations Research, Department of Economics, University of Thessaly, 38333 Volos, Greece
    Department of Production and Management Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, 67132 Xanthi, Greece)

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is crucial for the European rubber and plastics industry to minimize production costs through effective resource management (e.g., energy management) and reduce environmental impacts like greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions. Circular economy (CE) solutions can support the industry’s competitiveness while aligning with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. In the present research, we employ a hybrid window data envelopment analysis (WDEA) methodology to measure panel data eco-efficiency via the application of the moving average principle. The examination of 27 European countries as decision-making units (DMUs), in the period 2014–2022, led to the conclusion that the average eco-efficiency is 70.33%, showing that most of the DMUs can ameliorate their performance regarding pollution control. The highest eco-efficiency in 2014 can be monitored in Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, and Poland, but in 2022, only Ireland and Switzerland kept their positions, whereas Norway dropped to the 16th position and Poland plummeted to the 24th hierarchical position. Geographical disparities can be spotted, as Northern and Western Europe have greater eco-efficiency than Eastern and Southern Europe. At a second level of analysis, the convergence between the 27 European countries in the period under consideration is examined using the log t regression test and club clustering. The analysis leads to three final clubs where conditional convergence dominates.

Suggested Citation

  • George E. Halkos & Jaime Moll de Alba & Panagiotis-Stavros C. Aslanidis & Christina Bampatsou, 2025. "Monitoring Eco-Efficiency and Its Convergence Towards Sustainability in the European Rubber and Plastics Industry Through Circular Economy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:1272-:d:1583895
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