BASF's PA6 recycling pilots win MATERIALICA 2026 and place at Fakuma 2026

Overview

BASF’s two pilot projects—chemical depolymerization and solvent-based recycling—demonstrated recovery of high-quality PA6 for demanding automotive components. The projects received the MATERIALICA Award 2026 (winner, CO2 Efficiency) and second place at the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 (sustainability). Demonstrations used near-production components and required collaboration with Mercedes‑Benz, ZF and Pöppelmann K‑TECH.

Depolymerization pilot

Used PA6 parts, including heavily contaminated transmission oil pans, were chemically broken down to the monomer caprolactam, purified and repolymerized. The resulting glass-fiber-reinforced PA6 compound was processed into a stabilizer link for Mercedes‑Benz with ZF and met mechanical and processing requirements under the applied conditions, confirming technical feasibility at pilot scale.

Solvent-based recycling pilot

Solvent extraction separated PA6 and PA66 from mixed automotive shredder residue (ASR), selectively recovering PA6. That recycled material was processed with Pöppelmann K‑TECH into a chain guide rail for Mercedes‑Benz, meeting demanding requirements for wear, temperature and media resistance. The process can address complex waste streams; industrial implementation could be pursued by other market participants.

Implications and next steps

Initial pilot-level life cycle analyses indicate potential reductions in Product Carbon Footprint versus virgin material. The projects demonstrate technical potential for closed PA6 loops and use of difficult-to-recycle streams, but further technical, economic and operational development and scale-up are required before industrial-scale deployment and compliance with future ELVR requirements can be assessed.