MARKETS | ANALYSIS
While post-industrial mechanical recycling of engineering polymers has been practised in-house by processors for decades, there are both logistical and technical challenges for post-consumer recycling of these polymers. The main logistical challenges relate to collection and sorting processes. These polymers are used in diverse and small-scale applications, with only limited volumes available on the market. Setting up collection and sorting systems is currently considered economically unviable, with no significant incentives for recycling.
Capacity challenges Furthermore, technical challenges to the use of mechanically recycled content arise in high specification applications. These include automotive interiors, medical and safety critical applications, to name but a few. In addition, the consistency in quantity and quality of recyclate from key applications must be improved for further utilisation in large volumes. Looking forwards, the performance of each item must be considered as well as design for recyclability and the availability of efficient recycling technolo- gies. Investments in refining sorting and processing technologies will help achieve higher quality recyclate that meets the performance requirements of various industries. Chemical recycling is seen by some as the answer to the challenges faced by mechanical recycling. Although engineering
www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com
Recycled engineering polymer demand in Europe, 2020-2030
need to be consistent and meet the high-performance specifications required to be utilised in applications such as electronics, domestic appliances, automotive and building and infrastructure.
Illustrative chart – please see links in box below to obtain more information Source: AMI Consulting, 2023
polymers are not the main focus of the industry, projects are developing globally, with different levels of commercial availability. Different technologies are suited to processing different polymers, depend- ing on their chemical structure and the technol- ogy parameters. For example, several commer- cial operations exist for the chemical depolymerisation of PA with feedstocks including carpets, textiles and fishing nets.
Chemical recycling While pyrolysis technologies overall do not present the best solution for engineer- ing thermoplastics, several companies have shown that the hydrocarbon output is a possible source for new engineering polymer production. Furthermore, chemical recycling can ensure the quality and consistency of recycled engineering polymers, which is crucial for their broader adoption. However, chemical
recycling as an emerging industry has its own suite of challenges; many of the
processes still require a well sorted, clean feedstock, which will differ depending on the technology utilised. Critically, chemical recycling is not, at time of writing, acknowledged as recycling by the EU Commission, despite urgings from the industry for clarification. This has led in the past year to a slowdown in investment, faltering development and has created some market uncertainty. With long lead times required for invest- ment decisions, regulatory backing is required to drive the industry forwards. Meeting the demands of the industry will require investments in collection, sorting, and recycling technologies from through- out the value chain, encom- passing both mechanical and chemical recycling methods. Recyclate will also
New AMI report Covering these topics, a new report from AMI Consulting was published in December 2023. “An Introduction to the Recy- cling of Engineering Polymers” explores the market for both mechanical and chemical recycling of ABS/SAN, PC, PA, PBT, POM and PMMA. Included with the report is a database of 446 mechanical recyclers in Europe processing at least one of these polymers as well as profiles of 29 companies active in chemical recycling projects involving engineering polymers globally. AMI’s report explores the waste plastics value chain in relation to these engineer- ing polymers, the collection and sorting from key application areas, the companies processing the waste and the end-use markets for recyclate. It also provides a mechanical recycling capacity estimate for engineering polymers in Europe, and data on individual engineering polymer recyclate demand up to 2030.
Recycling engineering polymers
“An Introduction to the Recycling of Engineering Poly- mers” is a comprehensive report from AMI Consulting written by Senior Research Analyst, Olivia Poole. To request a free sample of this report, please CLICK HERE. For further information about the report or how we can support your business, please visit our website at
www.amiplastics.com.
January/February 2024 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 13
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