Some might say the surging investments in chemical recycling is taking away the attention on the development and commercialization of bio-based plastics but according to the European Bioplastics Association, chemical recycling is an important option for bio-based plastics to the same extent as for fossil-based plastics.  Chemical Recycling of bio-based plastics contributes to a circular bioeconomy by keeping renewable content in the loop even longer, requiring not only fewer fossil resources but also less renewable feedstock to produce virgin bio-based plastics.

The trade association recently released a white paper reporting an overview of the various chemical recycling technologies being developed which has gained increased attention as a promising recovery technology especially for post-consumer plastic waste that is hard to mechanically recycle.  Commercial availability of these processes are still limited and a legislative framework still needs to be established.

The industry association Chemical Recycling Europe defines chemical recycling as ‘any re-processing technology that directly affects either the formulation of the polymeric waste or the polymer itself and converts them into chemical substances and/or products whether for the original or other purposes, excluding energy recovery’.

Chemical recycling can be distinguished into two major groups of processes: chemical depolymerisation and thermal depolymerisation. Chemical depolymerisation is a process in which plastics is broken down into oligomers or monomers through a chemical reaction. This technique allows the plastic material to be chemically recycled again and again, since new virgin polymers can be produced after each depolymerisation.

Thermal depolymerisation is a process in which the plastic waste is heated up either in the absence of oxygen or with limited oxygen. It produces a feedstock that can be used for chemicals (e.g. bio oils for cracking) as well as fuels.