Chemical depolymerisation
The goal of this programme is to improve quality chemical recycling techniques. Chemical depolymerization can become an important technology for high-quality and efficient recycling of polymers. To enable large-scale application, investments will be made for scale-up and showcases will be funded.
Scaling up projects
The following is envisioned for scaling up chemical recycling:
- Pilot plant for polyester-cotton pretreatment
- Demo plant for PET and PA recycling from packaging, textile and carpet waste streams
- Demo plant for recycling aramid fibre
- Demo plant for chemical recycling of polycondensates by solvolysis
Showcase: PET packaging
The project has two concrete objectives: to develop a new PET tray design that is fully recyclable, including foils, lids, labels, etc., and to implement industrial-scale demonstrators for tray-to-tray recycling. The solution must be of the same quality and price as virgin PET trays and acceptable to the entire chain, including retail and consumers.
Showcase: textiles and carpets
To create a circular value chain for carpet and textiles, in which all links have integrated a business case from design and production, collection, sorting, separation and recycling to the new circular textile products based on recycled material and suitable for recycling.
Showcase: polyurethane
An integrated approach will be developed, beginning with design for circularity, development of characterization and sorting methods followed by a specific recycling method. The focus will be on recycling flexible and rigid PU foams and PU elastomers using chemical recycling methods. The goal is to increase the recycling rate from the current 10% to 50% by 2030.
Showcase: rubber car tires
Within this showcase, collectors, compounders and manufacturers of rubber products are enabling them to separate, sort, devulcanise, characterise and then test their End-of-Life (EoL) products for suitability as new raw materials for high-value applications.