Circular economy has become a major focus at German resin maker Covestro (Leverkusen; www.covestro.com), which recently announced its Sustainable Future strategy (see Plasteurope.com of 30.09.2021). When it comes to recycling technical plastics, the chemical company plans to work with compatriot waste disposal service firm Interseroh (Cologne; www.interseroh.com).

The declaration of intent between the two partners includes in particular the recycling of polyurethanes and polycarbonates. Interseroh is to procure the relevant recyclable materials from old products, process them and provide them to Covestro for their return to the raw material cycle.

Covestro CEO Markus Steilemann said the cooperation with the subsidiary of Germany’s Alba Group (Berlin; www.alba.info/en) is an “important milestone for the merging of the chemical and recycling industries with the aim of building new value creation cycles for the circular economy”.

The companies are said to be currently developing corresponding recycling technologies, with a particular focus on chemical processes for difficult-to-recycle plastics waste where regulatory requirements are still lacking.