Oerlikon Barmag and Evonik have entered a strategic partnership to advance the chemical recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) waste, aiming to develop cutting-edge technologies for depolymerisation, purification, and repolymerisation processes. The collaboration is set to significantly contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy for plastics.

Oerlikon Barmag, a leader in polymer processing for chemical fibers and packaging materials, brings decades of expertise in the industry, and its connection to Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions further strengthens its international market presence. Evonik, a global specialty chemicals giant, is committed to sustainability initiatives and developing next-generation chemical solutions. Together, the two companies plan to leverage innovative catalytic processes to enhance PET chemical recycling technology.

The partnership aims to roll out the newly developed chemical recycling solution by the end of the decade. This will involve active participation from companies across the ecosystem, including those involved in feedstock, technology, and production, to create a robust global network. The technology promises to complement existing mechanical recycling methods, particularly for heavily contaminated and mixed PET waste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled.

Georg Stausberg, CEO of Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “We are firmly convinced that with Evonik we gained a strong and experienced partner in the field of specialty chemicals. Together, we will position ourselves as a key player in the growing market for chemical recycling of PET, advancing sustainability in the plastics industry.”

Max Preisenberger, Head of Catalysts at Evonik, added, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in PET recycling. Our catalytic processes and chemical technologies will enable high recycled PET content from mixed PET waste, actively supporting a sustainable circular economy.”

The technology aims to offer numerous benefits, such as high efficiency and seamless integration into existing PET production processes. The key focus will be on minimizing operational and investment costs while ensuring scalability. By combining Oerlikon Barmag’s expertise in PET processing with Evonik’s catalytic technology, the partnership seeks to deliver high-quality recycled PET suitable for various closed- and open-loop applications.

Lukas Adamek, Head of Strategy & Business Development at Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions, highlighted the significance of the collaboration, emphasizing its potential to drive the creation of a circular economy for PET waste. “We want to scale our technology to significant proportions, making it available to global PET producers and processors. This will help our customers become more sustainable and contribute to a circular economy.”

Together, Oerlikon Barmag and Evonik are positioning themselves as leaders in the chemical recycling of PET, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future for the plastics industry.