In Australia, Viva Energy and Nestlé validated circular feedstock flows by producing recycled polypropylene for KitKat wrappers via ISCC PLUS mass balance at a refinery–polymers site. In the US, PureCycle’s PureFive production and initial P&G deliveries signaled growing food‑grade PP supply as regulation raises recycled‑content requirements. Automotive applications moved toward design‑for‑disassembly with polymer choices aligned to AI‑enabled dismantling and material traceability.
Europe advanced biobased alternatives: Happy Cups molded the first Happy Cup using locally produced Caleyda PHA, while Metsä committed a commercial Muoto fibre‑based packaging line at Äänekoski and halted Kuura amid textile‑fiber overcapacity. In APAC, GC highlighted a Green & Bio platform, including NatureWorks’ PLA facility, to anchor bioplastics alongside specialty growth.
Synthetic and co‑processed fuels progressed. Infinium and American Airlines allocated electro sustainable aviation fuel produced at Infinium’s Pathfinder facility to a scheduled flight, with a larger eSAF site due in 2027. In Brazil, Petrobras sold 6.1 thousand m³ of SAF via 1% renewable co‑processing. ORLEN expanded HVO sales across Germany, Czechia, Austria and Slovakia and opened a hydrogen hub, broadening low‑carbon fuel availability.
Critical‑materials recovery capacity expanded. Worley will deliver engineering for USSM’s multi‑metallic processing hub for black mass and a cobalt refinery in Missouri. Aurubis advanced multi‑site investments as Complex Recycling Hamburg was commissioned and Richmond ramp‑up continued. In Central Europe, MOL’s Deposit Return System at high utilisation and waste‑to‑energy preparations supported profitable Circular Economy Services.
Industrial sites integrated cleaner utilities. LANXESS converted its Krefeld‑Uerdingen spray dryer to hydrogen using byproduct H₂ from a neighboring chlor‑alkali plant, lowering CO₂ by ~6 kt/y. ORLEN energized a 42.2 MW solar PV farm at the Mažeikiai refinery to supply on‑site power. In water, Icon Water’s upgrade will deploy a MemCor membrane bioreactor upgrade at the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre, targeting higher‑quality effluent at the country’s largest MBR.
Companies invested in capabilities shaping circular outcomes. Covestro’s role in the KOLLEKT consortium developing recyclable automotive lighting complements PTTGC’s Map Ta Phut being positioned as a regional growth base for specialty and Green & Bio. Regulatory‑grade testing capacity will rise with BASF Agricultural Solutions’ new Climate Center at Limburgerhof. In China, Shengli piloted integrated operations and low‑carbon utilities via the Source Grid Load Storage Smart Energy Platform and geothermal reuse of abandoned wells.
