Episode 549: Ramp up of recycling held back by technology, poor collection, inertia

The chemical industry is under intense pressure to ramp up recycling but is being held back by technology, poor collection and inertia over commitment to major investments.
- Mechanical recycling present in Europe for more than 20 years
- 46m tonnes/year of mechanical recycling capacity in Europe (PET, PP, PE)
- 21m tonnes/year mechanical recycling capacity in Asia
- Chemical recycling has not yet made a big impact on the market
- Around 200 chemical recycling projects on ICIS database
- Mainly under 10,000 tonnes/year and in Europe, North America
- 5-10 years before they reach commercial scale
- Europe PET bottle market used only 15% of recycled feedstock in 2019
- By 2025 this must rise to 25% to meet EU target
- 5-15% recycled feedstock penetration for Europe polyolefins for packaging
- Chemical recycling may be more carbon intensive than virgin production
- Industry must accelerate recycling or face product substitution by brand owners
- Asia accounts for most ocean plastic pollution but has poor collection infrastructure
- Entire supply chains should take responsibility for collection/recycling
- Industry faces more taxation on plastic waste
- Blockchain could be used to process data on plastic use and recycling
Register for a free ICIS Asia recycling webinar on Wednesday 3 March https://bit.ly/3kxnGLa