- ETH Zurich and BASF demonstrated gasification of mixed plastic waste and biomass reduces emissions by over 3 kg CO2-eq per kg.
- The EU is preparing legislation on end-of-life vehicles, impacting recycling policies.
- Over one million tons of automotive plastic waste is incinerated or landfilled annually in Europe.
- Supportive legal frameworks are needed for mixed plastic waste gasification.
Research Findings
ETH Zurich, in collaboration with BASF, explored recycling mixed plastic waste from end-of-life vehicles with biomass. The study found that recycling one kg of automotive shredder residues with three kg of biomass reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 3 kg CO2-eq compared to incineration.
Gasification Pilot Project
The study follows a gasification pilot project by BASF and BEST GmbH, which for the first time combined biomass and plastic waste gasification. This process produces steam and synthesis gas, valuable feedstocks for the chemical industry, reducing fossil resource consumption and emissions.
Policy Implications
As the EU prepares legislation on end-of-life vehicles, the findings highlight the need for policies that recognize mixed plastic waste as recyclable. Supportive legal frameworks are essential for replacing fossil feedstocks with alternatives from plastic waste and bio-waste.
Challenges and Opportunities
While legislation supports bio-waste gasification, similar support for plastic waste streams is lacking. Efficient operation requires multi-purpose plants, calling for policies that enable flexible mass balance approaches. The potential for non-fossil feedstock from automotive plastic waste is significant, with over one million tons incinerated or landfilled annually in Europe.
