Recent developments
Scaling waste-to-chemicals
Commercial deployments expanded. SynPet will build a 250,000 t/y mixed‑plastic facility in Antwerp to make circular naphtha and RNG via its Thermal Conversion Process (TCP®). Lummus and InnoVent agreed to globally license and deploy continuous tire pyrolysis technology integrated with downstream upgrading. BASF and ETH Zurich quantified GHG benefits from combined biomass and plastic waste gasification and flagged policy needs for recognizing mixed plastic waste as recyclable feedstock.
ELV and composites recycling
Advanced material loops progressed. Toray unveiled a recycling technology capable of decomposing carbon fiber reinforced plastics while retaining >95% of virgin fiber tensile strength, enabling nonwoven CF fabrics for mobility and construction. In the ELV stream, Trinseo and ARN scaled dismantling of lighting components and ran advanced recycling trials to separate PC and PMMA fractions, coupled with engagement on EU directive revisions.
Catalyst circularity rises
Value-chain services consolidated. Axens moved to full ownership of Eurecat to expand catalyst regeneration, rejuvenation, and recycling, with options to extend into battery-metal recovery. In parallel, Technip Energies acquired Ecovyst’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts business, reinforcing technology and lifecycle offerings that underpin decarbonization, sustainable fuels, and waste-to-chemicals platforms.
Bio-based and biogas
Biogenic routes and circular organics advanced. Eni and Egypt’s BASSD launched a feasibility for biogas production units using animal and agricultural waste to supply energy and fertilizers with carbon credit potential. Celtic Renewables is scaling its ABE fermentation process and recruiting transitioning talent. Symrise’s Hydrolite® 5 green expanded bio-based inputs for cosmetics. UPM’s Leuna biorefinery achieved stable operation of its first core process.
Certified feedstock adoption
Mass-balance and certification broadened. LANXESS introduced an ISCC PLUS-certified version of Additin RC 2515 from >80% sustainable raw materials, using mass balance with third‑party auditability and a reported 34% PCF reduction at Mannheim.
Market and policy signals
Industry conditions remained challenging. LyondellBasell reported a net loss with ongoing European softness, while Covestro’s Q3 2025 results tracked guidance amid constrained cash generation. Policy direction is pivotal: as the EU prepares legislation on end-of-life vehicles, recognition of mixed plastic recyclability and flexible mass balance frameworks may influence investment decisions for co-gasification, pyrolysis, and hybrid circular feedstock plants.