Biobased & Circular

Recent developments

Circular polymers

Polymer circularity advanced in automotive and packaging. Motherson and PureCycle produced a Class-A bumper prototype with 30% recycled PP; Avantium trialed PEF in shot-size beverage bottles; Reju opened a Research & Development Center in Conshohocken for Volcat polyester depolymerization. Trinseo’s 16th annual Sustainability and CSR Report detailed PMMA depolymerization and ABS dissolution. BASF and Bota launched SkinNexus Collag3n, and Symrise’s Closing the Hydrogen Loop cut fresh hydrogen use.

SAF and HVO build‑out

SAF and renewable diesel projects firmed supply chains. Axens’ acquisition of the Lurgi Methanol-to-Propylene (MTP) technology adds a methanol-to-jet pathway. Acelen Renewables and Trafigura agreed UCO supply and fuel offtake for the Bahia biorefinery. OMV Petrom delivered the final module for a 20 MW electrolyzer at the Petrobrazi refinery to feed its SAF/HVO unit. ORLEN began HVO100 sales in Slovakia.

Carbon and hydrogen inputs

Carbon and hydrogen inputs evolved. Siemens partnered with Ucaneo to scale electrochemical Direct Air Capture. Iberdrola and bp advanced a green hydrogen project at the Castellón refinery. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and Gold Hydrogen planned a green methanol study using natural hydrogen. Hycamite methane‑cracking entered steel decarbonization research. Heat decarbonization advanced via the Tiefenkraft joint project, Hannover‑Lahe waste‑to‑energy plant upgrades, and the Fénix 243 MW photovoltaic plant, while Zeeland outlined System Integration of Electricity in Zeeland.

Strategy and capacity

Strategy, capacity, and finance. Covestro finalized the acquisition of two former Vencorex production sites. Nextchem completed the acquisition of Ballestra group, adding fertilizer, acids, fluorine, and oleochemicals technologies. Nobian expanded ISCC PLUS‑certified chloromethanes. AIQBE reported record €827 million industrial investment in Huelva. EnviTec Biogas secured an EEG tender for around 16 MW. The EIB granted a €50 million loan to Lactinov Services SAS for 2026–2029 upgrades.