Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag Join Forces to Advance Chemical Recycling of PET Waste

Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag Join Forces to Advance Chemical Recycling of PET Waste

(IN BRIEF) Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag have formed a partnership to develop innovative chemical recycling solutions for Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. The collaboration focuses on creating efficient processes for PET depolymerisation and purification, aiming to boost recycling rates from contaminated waste. The new technology, which will be ready by the end of the decade, will be commercially available and widely adopted across the industry. By combining Evonik’s expertise in catalysts and Oerlikon’s polyester technology, the partnership aims to drive sustainable solutions and enhance PET recycling within the plastics industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 24-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag have entered a strategic partnership to develop innovative solutions for the chemical recycling of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. This collaboration is focused on creating efficient and sustainable processes for PET depolymerisation and purification, with an integrated concept for repolymerisation, further enhanced by associated EPC business models.

The goal is to introduce new, cost-effective technologies that will expand the reach of the PET value chain and contribute to a sustainable circular economy. By leveraging these cutting-edge processes, the partnership aims to drive the recycling of PET from heavily contaminated and mixed waste streams—material that would otherwise be discarded through incineration or landfill. The technology, which is expected to be fully developed and implemented by the end of the decade, will also be made available to third-party partners, allowing for broader adoption of chemical recycling within the industry.

Max Preisenberger, Head of Catalysts at Evonik, highlighted the significance of the collaboration: “This partnership marks a substantial leap forward in chemical recycling. By combining our catalytic and chemical technologies with existing mechanical recycling methods, we can significantly increase the recycled PET content, even from waste streams that were previously considered unrecyclable.”

Georg Stausberg, CEO of Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions, emphasized the strength of the partnership: “With Evonik, we have secured a skilled and experienced partner in specialty chemicals. Together, we will carve out a substantial market presence in the growing field of PET chemical recycling, paving the way for a new generation of sustainable solutions within the plastics industry.”

The companies plan to launch and commercialize the jointly developed recycling technology by the decade’s end. Their efforts will involve collaboration with other industry stakeholders, including partners for feedstock, technology, and production, as well as the creation of a global network for development.

The chemical recycling technology, once fully integrated, will offer multiple benefits. It is designed to be highly efficient from a chemical perspective and can be seamlessly incorporated into existing PET production processes. Key factors driving its development include operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.

By combining Evonik’s expertise in catalyst and process technologies with Oerlikon’s experience in polyester materials, the partners aim to advance the chemical recycling of PET from both closed- and open-loop sources, achieving high-quality, fossil-like recyclates.

About Smart Materials
The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of €4.46 billion in 2023 with more than 8,100 employees.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

Media contact:

Lena Berg
Head of Market Communications Smart Effects
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Nina Peck
Head of Market Communications Smart Materials
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SOURCE:Evonik