Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

Biobased & Circular

The latest industry news on green and sustainable chemistry in Europe: investments, new projects, expansion plans and companies working on the decarbonization of the chemical industry.

Recent developments

Bio-based feedstocks diversify

Scotland’s Celtic Renewables progressed bio-acetone/ethanol/butanol from whisky residues via a Japan mission. Siemens introduced 70% UCO-based plastic coupling relays with Envalior. Sasol launched LIVINEX IO 7, an insect oil–derived surfactant. Braskem updated LCAs for its I'm green™ bio-based product line. BLOOM and Borealis advanced ISCC PLUS–certified Bornewables™ EVA compounds.

Chemical recycling scales

Trinseo started using Indaver’s chemically recycled styrene monomer in PS, ABS and SAN via mass balance, including food-contact. Eni advanced the Versalis Hoop® plant for mixed-plastic pyrolysis within the Priolo conversion. Plastic Energy commercialized TACFILLER as a low-emission carbon black alternative. Schneider Electric and Evonik automate a thermoplastic processing plant to improve recyclate quality.

Water and biodiversity

Solvay piloted the IUCN RHINO approach at Dombasle, integrating STAR metrics into site targets. At Santo André, it achieved 94% water reuse via Veolia’s ZeeWeed MBR. Toray launched the TLF-400ULD reverse osmosis membrane for lower-energy reuse. TotalEnergies and Veolia deploy AUSEA technology for landfill methane monitoring and resource recovery.

Safer catalysts, additives

Clariant unveiled titanium-based catalyst solutions for antimony-free polyester production and energy reduction. It also added Exolit OP flame retardants for PBT in e-mobility and expanded Daya Bay capacity. Chemetall introduced Gardolene D, chromium- and fluoride-free copper foil passivation. BASF’s Dilovası facility added low‑VOC dispersions via mass balance. The Navigator Company secured EIB funding for moulded fibre packaging to displace plastics.

Latest trends, product updates, and discussions
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Owners & Investors

Top 5 companies involved as owner and/or investor in current and planned Biobased & Circular projects:

TotalEnergies SE TotalEnergies, INEOS NV INEOS, Air Liquide SA Air Liquide, BASF SE BASF, Moeve Moeve, Repsol Repsol, Shell Shell, Eni S.p.A. Eni, Lhyfe Lhyfe, and Carbios Carbios.

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