Covestro Advances Polycarbonate Recycling with Chemolysis, Aiming to Close the Recycling Loop

Covestro Advances Polycarbonate Recycling with Chemolysis, Aiming to Close the Recycling Loop

(IN BRIEF) Covestro has developed an innovative process for recycling polycarbonate plastics through chemical recycling, aiming to convert plastics back into their monomers for reuse in production. The process, termed chemolysis, is capable of recycling pre-sorted waste streams containing over 50% polycarbonate, effectively closing the recycling loop by generating a precursor of polycarbonate that can be directly used as a raw material for production. The chemolysis process is seen as complementary to mechanical recycling, enabling the recycling of larger waste streams that are unsuitable for mechanical processes and producing plastics meeting high-quality requirements. Covestro is investing millions of euros to implement the process on a pilot scale, with the pilot plant located in Leverkusen, Germany.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEVERKUSEN, 17-Aug-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Covestro has developed an innovative process for recycling polycarbonate, i.e. polychain plastics. In this process, plastics are converted back into their monomers, a precursor of plastics, so that they can be fed back into the production process as alternative raw materials. At Covestro in Leverkusen, the technical implementation of chemical recycling is now beginning on a pilot scale. On the way to industrial scale, the process is still being optimized and is undergoing further development stages.

“As a manufacturer of plastics such as polycarbonate, we naturally have a responsibility in dealing with these important materials, including at the end of their product life. Our advantage is: we know how our products are designed and can therefore conduct targeted research into recycling solutions,” says Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Covestro’s Chief Technology Officer. “The chemical recycling of polycarbonate is another example with which our colleagues in development show that closed cycles are possible in the future. We need to use end-of-life plastics as a resource and reuse them as alternative raw materials to close the loop.”

The return of plastics through recycling replaces primary fossil raw materials in production. Comprehensive recycling thus contributes to climate neutrality and the protection of natural resources and the environment. Mechanical recycling of polycarbonate is already an important component of Covestro’s recycling strategy. The mechanical recycling process is used whenever waste streams are sufficiently pure and the recycled polycarbonate meets the requirements profile of the future application.

Chemical recycling works in a complementary way to mechanical recycling – it converts plastic building blocks back into monomers, i.e. their individual building blocks. These can be separated and serve as raw materials for future plastic. Chemical recycling can therefore make larger waste streams that are unsuitable for mechanical processes in particular accessible for recycling; it allows the production of plastics that meet the highest quality requirements. Covestro is therefore actively developing chemical recycling.

Chemolysis can directly close the polycarbonate cycle

The newly developed process, which was driven by an international team, is a specific chemolysis process adapted to polycarbonate. “Pre-sorted waste streams containing a product content of more than 50 percent polycarbonate can be recycled this way. This has been successfully demonstrated with various polycarbonate-containing plastic waste streams,” explains Markus Dugal, Head of Process Technology at Covestro. “With the help of this chemolysis, the cycle can be closed to a direct precursor of polycarbonate. This makes the recycling process very sustainable.”

Direct use of recycled product as raw material possible

The recycled product, a precursor of polycarbonate, can be mass-balanced and reused as a raw material for the production of polycarbonate without further processing. “Such high-quality recycled raw materials are needed for applications that require top quality. These include, for example, applications in the automotive sector with special requirements in terms of safety, optical transparency or aesthetics, and products in our everyday lives such as consumer electronics,” says Lily Wang, Head of the Engineering Plastics Business Entity.

Millions of euros will be invested

Following successful development in the laboratory, the next stage of development, the technical implementation of a continuous process, has already started. A pilot plant, which is currently in the planning stage, will be used to gather the experience needed for further expansion to industrial scale. Millions of euros will be invested in this over the next few years. The pilot plant will be built in Leverkusen, Germany.

At the same time, Covestro is driving forward further processes for innovative recycling of polycarbonate in its research laboratories. These include chemolytic alternatives, recycling with enzymes that break down the plastic, and smart pyrolysis. Promising alternatives can also be tested with the pilot plant.

Plastics are key to sustainable growth and a green future. To ensure that plastic products do not become waste at the end of their life, they must be reused as alternative raw materials. Innovative recycling is one of the four fields Covestro is actively driving forward on the road to a circular economy. Covestro is therefore stepping up its research into recycling methods, with an open approach to technology, and promoting innovative approaches such as chemical recycling.

About Covestro:

Covestro is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality polymer materials and their components. With its innovative products, processes and methods, the company helps enhance sustainability and the quality of life in many areas. Covestro supplies customers around the world in key industries such as mobility, building and living, as well as the electrical and electronics sector. In addition, polymers from Covestro are also used in sectors such as sports and leisure, cosmetics and health, as well as in the chemical industry itself.

The company is committed to becoming fully circular and is striving to become climate neutral by 2035 (scope 1 and 2). Covestro generated sales of EUR 18 billion in fiscal 2022. At the end of 2022, the company had 50 production sites worldwide and employed approximately 18,000 people (calculated as full-time equivalents).

Forward-looking statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Covestro AG. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Covestro’s public reports which are available at www.covestro.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Media Contact:

Sirin Emre-Flender
Corporate Channels & Media Relations
+49 162 733 0374
mailto: sirin.emre-flender@covestro.com

Patrick Herrmann
Corporate Content, Thought Leadership & Internal Communication NL
+49 151 22 34 37 93
mailto: patrick.herrmann@covestro.com

SOURCE: Covestro AG

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