Chemical Recycling Europe (ChemRecEurope; Brussels / Belgium; www.chemicalrecyclingeurope.eu) has called for “constructive collaboration” with the waste management industry to increase recycling, along with enabling the development of chemical recycling. The association, which was established in 2019 to promote and implement chemical recycling technologies, issued a statement in April saying it wished to clarify some observations in the European Federation for Waste Management and Environmental Services’ (FEAD, Brussels; www.fead.be) analysis of chemical recycling, released in December 2019 (see Plasteurope.com of 19.12.2019).

Firstly, ChemRecEurope welcomed FEAD’s conclusion on keeping unchanged the definition of recycling in the EU waste framework directive. However, with regard to an independent life cycle analysis (LCA), ChemRecEurope said assessing chemical recycling’s CO₂ footprint was not enough to determine its full impact. Instead, it suggested a more holistic LCA looking at a broader range of indicators as well as understanding the quality and value of recyclate produced by both mechanical and chemical processes.

The association explained that the LCA of both technologies are not directly comparable as chemical recycling can tackle problems such as contamination, removal of additives, colours and multilayered or mixed plastics that mechanical recycling cannot handle without additional steps, which are often not possible or too costly.

In addition, ChemRecEurope said it regretted “the use of unjustified statements” regarding the impact of chemical recycling and its feasibility at industrial scale. The organisation pointed out that many large industrial plants are planned in Europe with global partners, who would not be involved if they did not believe in the feasibility of these projects.

It also added that secondary raw materials leaving the recycling plant should comply with the relevant rules, for example Europe’s REACH regulation or waste legislation. ChemRecEurope pointed out that chemical recycling is more tolerant towards contaminants and can treat low-quality feedstocks that can produce high-quality secondary raw materials to be used, for instance, in food-contact applications. However, it said there is a lack of alignment between waste and product legislations that needs to be clarified.

During the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions that have arisen, the European recycling industry wants to be recognised as an essential and strategic sector offering “services of general economic interest” (see Plasteurope.com of 21.04.2020).