Scientists have demonstrated a catalyst-free process that uses water, oxygen and microscopic interfaces to convert several difficult plastic wastes into useful organic acids. The laboratory results are promising, but significant engineering work remains before commercial deployment.
Epoch Biodesign’s acquisition of a nylon 6,6 facility in Blanes gives the biotechnology company commercial polymerisation capacity and creates a potential route from plastic waste to finished recycled polymer.
Researchers have demonstrated a process that converts mixed PET, polyethylene and polypropylene waste into hydrogen with purity above 90%, while retaining most of the plastic’s carbon in solid or liquid products.
Engineering plastics are too diverse for a single recycling method. Mechanical processing, solvent separation, depolymerization and thermochemical technologies must work together to recover valuable materials from complex waste.
PET bottle recycling in Austria reached 17,101 tonnes in early 2026 as the sector adapted to deposit-system and market pressures.
Versalis sharply reduced its second-quarter operating loss as plant closures and restructuring lowered costs. Falling sales and renewed pressure on polyethylene margins, however, show that the recovery remains fragile.
OCEANZYME is investigating whether enzymes and marine microorganisms can convert severely degraded ocean plastics into useful raw materials for fisheries, aquaculture and other circular applications.
Neumag has demonstrated that polyester carpet waste can be spun into new BCF yarn without virgin polymer, advancing closed-loop carpet production.
The PETValue zero waste initiative links bottle-to-bottle recycling with Republic Cement’s resource recovery system, diverting caps and labels from landfill for use as alternative fuel.
