Recent developments
Platforms and policy
Sinopec Recycling Technology Co., Ltd. was established as an investment and operations platform for waste plastics, integrating recycling, processing trade, carbon-chain services, and ESG, and engaging partners in tire regenerated oil and waste biological grease. In Europe, the proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) would condition public procurement on low‑carbon and “Made in EU” criteria and streamline permitting, with potential extension to chemicals, shaping demand and project execution for circular technologies.
Mass balance scale-up
BASF started commercial production of ISCC PLUS-certified biomass balance (BMB) polyether polyols in Geismar as PU feedstocks to cut product carbon footprints. ARLANXEO’s Orange, Texas site achieved ISCC PLUS for Therban HNBR and Buna BR under the ARLANXEO Eco label, expanding certified elastomer supply in North America. Together, these moves broaden mass-balance offerings across polymers and elastomers with no specification or processing changes.
Chemical recycling advances
Covestro and Fraunhofer UMSICHT will operate a 2 kt/y smart pyrolysis pilot by 2028 to convert rigid PUR/PIR waste into ~99% aniline for recycled MDI. In construction, Sekisui House, Daiei Kankyo, and AGC launched a closed-loop window glass project targeting high‑purity cullet and equivalent-quality architectural glass. Battery and hydrogen value chains advanced with Mecaware’s critical metals recycling and Johnson Matthey and Syensqo recovering PGMs and ionomers from PEM systems.
Bio-based feedstocks growth
In gas and liquids, Plenitude and Methagora agreed on 50 GWh/y certified biomethane under France’s BPC scheme via upgrades of agricultural methanation sites. Neste’s 2025 Green Finance Report detailed a €700 million green bond backing Rotterdam’s renewables expansion toward 2.7 Mt/y capacity by 2027. In Scotland, Celtic Renewables secured £16.23M to scale an ABE biorefinery in Grangemouth producing bio‑acetone, bio‑butanol, and bio‑ethanol from local residues.
Regulation and materials
Ahead of EU Regulation 2024/3190 restricting hazardous bisphenols in food‑contact, BASF expanded Ultrason P by introducing six polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) grades free of BPA and BPS, compatible with existing PESU tooling and food‑contact approvals. In mobility, Teijin Aramid’s Twaron Next produced from reclaimed aramid was recognized at Tire Technology Expo 2026 after reinforcing Bridgestone solar tires without loss of performance, demonstrating circular fibers in demanding applications.
Enabling technologies and capacity
first full fermentation-based enzyme production hub in Latin America at IFF’s Arroyito site and a Brazil household care lab aim to improve regional enzyme supply and formulation reliability. In electrochemistry, Altris won EIC Accelerator support to scale sodium‑ion battery electrodes that avoid lithium and cobalt for stationary storage. These capacities support resource‑efficient products and circular value chains in cleaning, fuels, and energy storage.