Recent developments
Circular polymers scale
Circular polymer projects advanced across collection, conversion and high‑purity PCR. PureCycle received Thailand FastPass for its Rayong polypropylene recycling facility to support regional feedstock and offtake. Reliable Caps and PureCycle introduced PureFive recycled polypropylene closures with up to 75% PCR. In Europe, Woosh, Borouge and BlueAlp closed a diaper‑plastics loop producing ISCC‑certified pyrolysis oil. BASF’s Acronal Ccycled styrene‑acrylate binder entered Tollens Maxiline+ paint via mass‑balance.
Bio‑based materials adoption
Bio‑attributed and plant‑based plastics moved into electrical, textile and comfort uses. Mitsui Chemicals’ mass‑balance biomass plastics were adopted in Toshiba molded transformers. Avantium and Heynen prototyped a releaf PEF cushion for automated foam encapsulation. Lindex and BASF planned lingerie using textile‑to‑textile recycled polyamide 6. Croda launched the Beauty of Zero programme to embed lifecycle data, biotech routes and circularity into personal‑care ingredients.
Low‑carbon fuels ramp
Conversion of waste to low‑carbon molecules accelerated. Repsol opened a 200,000 t/year renewable diesel plant in Puertollano using organic waste and renewable hydrogen from biogas. EemsGas secured an SDE++ operating subsidy for biomethane production via demolition‑wood gasification. At PRC Europe 2026 in Amsterdam, operators discussed bankable SAF, hydrogen integration and chemical‑recycling schemes including pyrolysis‑oil upgrading and hydroprocessing of mixed plastic waste.
Decarbonised infrastructure
Material choices targeted embedded emissions in energy assets. Vattenfall used low‑emission steel from SSAB for PV mounting at a German solar park. AkzoNobel supplied protective coatings for the Songyuan Hydrogen Energy Industrial Park. Sweden’s Bruzaholm onshore wind farm paired 139 MW with 38 MWh storage and a PPA with AB Volvo for industrial demand.
Critical materials and mining
Critical‑materials initiatives advanced. Hycamite outlined a phased 200 kt/yr graphite plant in Finland for batteries and industry. LKAB obtained a permit for the Luleå critical‑minerals industrial park to recover phosphorus and rare earths from iron‑ore residuals. Evonik and the University of Guanajuato will develop sustainable, lower‑toxicity mining chemicals using biosurfactants for flotation of key metals and rare earths.
Process and water innovations
Catalyst and materials R&D targeted efficiency and emissions. Clariant’s FAMAX catalysts at Yihua formaldehyde plants improved yield, reduced pressure drop and enabled lower‑temperature operation, with EnviCat off‑gas catalysts reaching ~99% VOC conversion. Kemira and CuspAI reported AI‑generated PFAS‑removal materials, narrowing trillions of MOF designs to priority candidates. A multi‑partner zirconia dental‑waste recycling project aims for practical application by 2028.