Recent developments
Plastics chemical recycling
WPU (Vitol) is building an 80,000 t/yr chemical plastics recycling plant in Rotterdam, co‑located with the VPR refinery and connected to repurposed Vopak storage, to convert end‑of‑life plastics to pyrolysis oil as circular feedstock. The project follows a 20,000 t/yr site in Denmark operating near full capacity and uses batch pyrolysis with emissions‑reduction furnace design.
Battery metals loops
TSR Group and BASF will cooperate on recycling end‑of‑life lithium‑ion EV batteries in Europe, aligning dismantling, discharging, black‑mass production and logistics, and connecting to BASF’s Schwarzheide facility to reintegrate metals into CAM. The collaboration targets closed‑loop raw‑material flows and regional supply security.
Biomethane and waste gas
EnviTec Biogas commissioned a 417 Nm³/h EnviThan gas upgrading unit in Ožďany, Slovakia, enabling grid injection of biomethane alongside power generation. The operator plans a transition from crop to waste‑derived feedstock. National and EU programs indicate additional biomethane potential across Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Bio‑based personal care
WACKER and Amyris will jointly develop bio‑based functional ingredients and molecular building blocks for personal care, combining precision fermentation with silicone chemistry and customer‑site validation. BASF highlighted upcycling via peptide ingredient made from upcycled sea‑buckthorn seedcake, recognized at in‑cosmetics Global. WACKER also showcased BELNEXT bio‑based products targeting biodegradability and low‑carbon production.
Recycling aids and surfactants
Evonik presented recycling additives TEGO CYCLE and TEGO Sorb for ink, label and odor removal during mechanical recycling, plus PFAS‑free TEGO PPA processing aids. Clariant launched Hostapon CT solid, a salt‑free taurate surfactant with an 80% Renewable Carbon Index and ready biodegradability, supporting mild formulations across skin and hair care.
Biopolymers and efficiency
Paques Biomaterials will supply the PHA biopolymer Caleyda for circular bitumen, enabling partial fossil‑binder replacement and reported sequestration of roughly 2 kg CO2 per kg polymer. Nouryon introduced Expancel 081 microspheres for paperboard, increasing bulk at up to 1% addition and supporting higher recycled‑fiber content with reduced fiber and energy use.
Power‑to‑liquids fuels
eFuels SEA launched a Southeast Asia platform to develop electrofuel projects producing drop‑in eSAF and other liquids from renewable power and captured CO2, planning 3–5 projects across several countries. The company will license Infinium’s ultra‑low carbon eFuels process, citing an operating commercial facility and another under construction in Texas.
Corporate strategy shifts
Dow announced a leadership transition, appointing Karen S. Carter CEO and naming Jim Fitterling Executive Chair. Carter previously led Packaging & Specialty Plastics, where she worked on development of circular economy solutions with customers; the succession follows a multi‑year process.