- Millions of euros will be invested in the pilot plant over the next few years.
- The pilot plant will be built in Leverkusen, Germany.
- The process recycles polycarbonates into monomers for high-performance applications.
- Development includes chemolysis, enzyme recycling, and smart pyrolysis.
Innovative Recycling Process
Covestro has developed a process for recycling polycarbonate plastics by converting them back into their monomers. This allows the materials to be reused in production, reducing reliance on fossil raw materials. The process is currently being optimized and developed further on a pilot scale in Leverkusen, Germany.
Complementary to Mechanical Recycling
Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling by handling waste streams unsuitable for mechanical processes. It breaks down plastics into monomers, which can then be used to produce high-quality plastics for applications such as car headlights. This method ensures that even complex waste streams can be recycled effectively.
Chemolysis Process
The new process, driven by an international team, uses chemolysis specifically adapted to polycarbonate. This method can recycle pre-sorted waste streams with over 50% polycarbonate content, closing the loop to a direct precursor of polycarbonate. This makes the recycling process highly sustainable.
Investment and Development
Following successful laboratory development, Covestro is investing millions of euros in the technical implementation of a continuous process. A pilot plant is being planned to gather the necessary experience for scaling up to industrial levels. This plant will also test other promising recycling methods, including enzyme recycling and smart pyrolysis.
Future Applications
The recycled product can be mass-balanced and reused as a raw material for producing high-quality polycarbonate. This is essential for applications requiring top quality, such as automotive parts, consumer electronics, and other products with stringent safety and aesthetic requirements.
