Forum Chemical Recycling: Overcoming Barriers
About Chemical Recycling
Chemical recycling is emerging as a transformative solution for managing plastic waste, complementing traditional mechanical methods and addressing limitations in recycling complex or contaminated materials. By breaking down polymers into molecular components, it enables the production of virgin-quality feedstocks, reduces reliance on fossil resources, and supports circular economy goals
Objectives of the Forum
- demonstrate economic feasibility and environmental benefits
- present and discuss case studies and success stories
- enable the industry to create value from currently undervalued waste streams
- promote knowledge, networks, and R&D projects
- enhance circularity and climate protection by reducing waste and CO2 emissions
Program
| 8.30 | Welcome coffee |
| 9.00 | Kick-off Introduction by OST, FHNW, Empa |
| Welcome address by INOS KTN, KUNSTSTOFF.swiss, InnoRecycling | |
| 9.30 | Unlocking the potential of chemical recycling: Irina Yarulina, Sulzer Chemtech |
| 10.00 | Chemical recycling - technology overview, state-of-play, and relevancy to the Swiss market: Thomas Blocher, BUSS ChemTech AG |
| 10.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.00 | Update on PET depolymerization: Pelin Uran, DePoly |
| 11.20 | Value creation from waste tire pyrolysis: Ralf Schwarz, Pyrum Innovation |
| 11.40 | Life cycle assessment of chemical recycling: Jonas Karg, Sphera |
| 12.00 | Lunch/networking |
| 13.30 | Low-regret climate change impacts for polyurethane waste supply chains in Germany: Martin Pillich, ETHZ |
| 14.00 | Parallel workshops |
| 15.00 | Coffee break |
| 15.30 | Recycling polyols from PU/PIR waste: Marco Werth, RAMPF Advanced Polymers |
| 15.50 | High-quality pyrolysis oil from mixed plastics: Albert Paparo, ENESPA AG |
| 16.10 | Fate of additives & contaminants in chemical recycling of plastic: JB Michel, Humana Consulting |
| 16.30 | Wrap up & discussion |
| 17.00 | Apéro |
Topics
- Economic assessment of chemical recycling
- Environmental evaluation, LCAs, circularity and climate impact
- Case studies, R&D projects, pilot plants, success stories
- Experience outside Switzerland, waste and product flows
Organization
Event info
- 1-day workshop, in-person; streaming will be available
target audience: polymer processing and recycling companies, research, startups, interest groups
Organization
- OST, IMP Institute for Microtechnology and Photonics
- OST, IWK Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing
- FHNW Institute of Polymer Engineering
Empa, Technology and Society/Advanced Fibers
In case of questions or problems, please contact arno.maurer@ost.ch
St. Gallen - Innovationspark Lerchenfeld OST
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