Chemical recycling has gained increased attention as a promising recovery technology, especially for post-consumer plastic waste. It is seen as a complementary solution to mechanical recycling, being better suited for difficult to recycle plastics like multi-layer solutions or heavily contaminated plastics. Yet, its availability at commercial scale is currently still limited, and a legislative framework at European level still needs to be established.
Chemical recycling also poses a valid end-of-life option for biobased plastics: By keeping the renewable content in the loop even longer, it promotes a circular bioeconomy and provides high-quality recycled biobased plastics.