René Muschter
Research Expert covering Industry & Mobility
Microplastics worldwide - statistics & facts
Each year, companies lose over 445,000 metric tons of nurdles across the global plastic supply chain. These microplastics are produced in various colors and typically measure five millimeters in diameter. They serve as raw materials in the thermoplastic industry, where they are melted and molded into final products. In 2023, polypropylene and polyethylene, which constitute the majority of microplastics, were the most commonly produced plastics globally, accounting for 19 percent and 14 percent of total production, respectively.
