Recent developments
Fiber packaging shift
Fiber-based formats gained traction. Stahl introduced the Repura barrier coatings for oil/grease, MVTR and OTR protection in food-contact paper and board. In parallel, UPM Specialty Materials and BASF combined barrier papers with Joncryl HPB resins; CEPI v2.0 testing supports paper-stream recyclability, with third‑party assessments of complete structures and interpack 2026 demonstrations planned.
Food-contact rPP
In foodservice, Plastic Ingenuity adopted PureCycle’s PureFive recycled polypropylene in thermoformed coffee lids with 25–100% recycled content. The dissolution-processed PP holds an FDA No Objection Letter and GreenCircle certification, enabling certified recycled content in direct food-contact lids that historically relied on virgin resin.
Bio-based building blocks
Bio-based polymers and fuels progressed. Avantium completed weld repairs at its FDCA Flagship Plant, with commissioning continuing toward H2 2026 product sales. Perpetual Next advanced logistics for the Delfzijl biomethanol facility via an MoU with JPB Logistics for 21–35k m³ storage, pending FID. UPM’s Leuna biochemicals refinery is producing industrial sugars and lignin, while Nextchem expanded licensing in SAF and specialty chemistries.
Data-enabled circularity
Digital tools targeted resource efficiency and compliance. Siemens introduced real‑time water analytics and control, including the SIWA Treatment Optimizer, reporting up to 25% energy/emissions cuts. On‑site material ID advanced with mobile NIR spectroscopy from trinamiX for footwear and textiles, aiding sorting and Digital Product Passports. Revised Waste Framework Directive timelines will make textile EPR mandatory by 2028, raising requirements for collection and high-purity feedstock preparation.
Recycling critical materials
Materials recovery broadened beyond plastics. Under the INSPIRE-PV project, ROSI will deploy a 10 kt/y automated PV recycling line in Spain to recover high‑purity silver, silicon, copper, aluminium and glass. Enova funded Elkem’s scale‑up of industrial biocarbon use in silicon production, targeting up to 0.5 Mt/y CO2 cuts corporately. Umicore is preparing a decision on expanding the hydrometallurgical flowsheet in Precious Metals Refining, while BASF scrutinized the Verbund model under Europe’s energy constraints.
Project and portfolio moves
EPC players reported resilient backlogs in low‑carbon projects; Technip Energies flagged new awards in Sustainable Aviation Fuels amid temporary Middle East disruptions and revenue deferrals. MAIRE confirmed guidance with a larger low‑carbon orderbook across E&C and STS. LyondellBasell completed the sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets to AEQUITA (Velogy), concentrating its portfolio while a new owner builds a regional polymers platform.