Chemical recycling

BASF and Essity joined forces together with the Technical University of Wien to revolutionize recycling of absorbent hygiene products (AHP).

Chemical (advanced) recycling can extend circularity to plastic streams that are hard to recycle mechanically. The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology Umsicht has compiled an interactive map of Europe’s chemical recycling activities, covering facilities, technologies, capacities, and project status across the continent. For context, the European steam cracker sites and capacities are also listed.

The second half of 2025 could see renewed investment in pyrolysis oil after the EU set out its approach to mass-balance accounting in early July. It has proposed a fuel-exempt model. A consultation on the proposals ended on 19 August. The Commission is currently conducting a review before presenting a final draft to its technical, with the aim of adopting the proposals under an implementing decision in autumn 2025. It is currently unclear the extent of any changes to the SUPD proposals resulting from the consultation

BASF, Porsche and BEST have completed a pilot project demonstrating how gasification can recycle waste streams from end-of-life vehicles. Even complex shredder residues can be turned into feedstocks for new plastic components.

The EU Commission has published proposals to allow mass balance for chemical recycling using a fuel-exempt accounting approach under the Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD).

K 2025 sees Erema launch the Agglorema generation of machines, a new recycling system specially developed for processing heavily contaminated post-consumer waste.

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 takes place on November 19-20 in Cologne, Germany, and online. Researchers and industry professionals are invited to share their latest achievements by submitting abstracts by 31 July 2025 and present work to a global audience of recycling experts.

Stuttgart, June 2025 – The University of Utrecht has chosen a Coperion STS 25 Mc11 twin screw extruder for a chemical plastics recycling research project. A research group headed by Assistant Professor Dr. Ina Vollmer will undertake comprehensive investigations of the mechanical-chemical conversion of mixed plastic waste using catalysts. Thanks to its intensive mixing effect and efficient energy intake, the Coperion STS twin screw extruder will assume a central function in this promising and relatively unexplored area.

Despite impending mandates and ambitious corporate targets, chemical recycling in Europe remains nascent today, mostly due to unattractive economics. A new report published by Bain & Company revealed that the industry is worth over €400 billion in cumulative capex and cost parity with virgin plastics production could be achieved in 20–30 years. Plastics companies now have a window of opportunity to be early movers and reap material benefits.

The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 is setting the stage for innovation. Taking place on November 19-20 in Cologne, Germany, and online, ARC 2025 continues to be the benchmark for innovation in recycling. As the industry faces increasing pressure, ambitious EU targets and evolving market demands, ARC 2025 offers a vital platform for industry leaders, researchers, investors, and policymakers to explore practical solutions and visionary concepts.

Almost 270 delegates attended the Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) in Cologne on 20-21 November 2024.