Recent developments
Low-carbon feedstock pathways
Pathways from non-fossil feedstocks advanced. A thyssenkrupp Uhde study for Nova Sustainable Fuels will integrate PRENFLO gasification with methanol synthesis for a 450 kt/y biomass-to-methanol project in Nova Scotia, powered by more than 1 GW of renewables and targeting operations by 2031. Separately, Siemens and CAPHENIA partnered to scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel using the Plasma Boudouard Reactor to convert biomethane to synthesis gas at about 86% energy efficiency and up to 80% lower CO2 than kerosene.
Plastics circularity advances
Polyolefin recycling and bio-based inputs recorded incremental progress. PureCycle reported record 7.5 million pounds of PureFive recycled polypropylene in Q4, increased feedstock throughput, and advanced projects in Thailand and Antwerp. BASF introduced biomass balance grades of Autofroth polyurethane systems in North America, REDcert2-certified and offering 18–20% product carbon footprint reductions with drop-in processing. Clariant obtained EU approval for rice bran wax additives in PET, PLA, and rigid PVC for food-contact, providing an alternative amid montan wax supply constraints and aligning with FDA and Japan authorizations.
Residual waste infrastructure
Residual waste infrastructure was repositioned. Indaver agreed to acquire the Medway Energy Centre, adding UK EfW capacity with baseload generation and a coastal site suitable for future CO2 capture. EEW advanced flue gas cleaning modernization in Helmstedt, hot-commissioning a new line to meet tighter limits during ongoing operations. Veolia secured over £1 billion in new and extended contracts with UK local authorities and highlighted a £70m investment in the country’s largest plastics recycling facility in Shropshire.
Corporate positioning and capital
Veolia reported 2025 results above guidance, advanced its GreenUp plan to 9.4% after-tax ROCE, and pursued US acquisitions in Water Technologies and Hazardous Waste. Covestro met 2025 guidance amid lower prices, realized €275 million STRONG program savings, reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions to 4.3 Mt CO2e, and expects a difficult 2026 with stable EBITDA and improved FOCF.
Materials and policy
Supply-side resilience and advanced materials development featured. The EIB and Canada signed a non-binding Letter of Intent to enhance cooperation on critical raw materials, enabling discussions on supporting projects across the value chain. UBE invested in CheomdanLab, backing SRBSN technology that upcycles semiconductor silicon waste into silicon nitride for EV and industrial bearings. QEMETICA and the Łukasiewicz Research Network formed a strategic partnership to develop innovative chemical technologies focused on advanced materials, high-temperature processes, and energy-efficient production.