German chemicals giant BASF (Ludwigshafen; www.basf.com) has launched PuriCycle, a line of catalysts and adsorbents solutions that remove or convert a wide range of impurities in pyrolysis oils, a secondary raw material that can be obtained from chemically recycling plastics waste.

Impurities such as halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur compounds along with higher levels of reactive components such as dienes complicate downstream processing of circular plastics streams. “The ability of the PuriCycle products to purify the most challenging pyrolysis oils streams is a major contribution to help closing the plastics loop, minimising waste and ultimately opening up new feedstocks for the chemical industry,” said Detlef Ruff, senior vice-president for process catalysts at BASF.

The group also announced that its IrgaCycle UV033 DD additive for improving material properties of mechanically reclaimed propylene and HDPE will be used in an agricultural application in Malaysia in cooperation with recycling company 3T Industries Sdn Bhd. The product line was introduced last year (see Plasteurope.com of 23.09.2021).

Related: Chemical recycling technology has a role in circular economy – study

The additive is said to enhance 100% recycled HDPE sheets used to protect pineapples from direct sunlight while still allowing photosynthesis to occur. The product replaces a traditional antioxidant and light stabiliser system as a one-step solution that eliminates pre-mixing, allows for accurate dosing and improved product quality, and is more efficient at lower concentrations, according to the supplier.

Related: BASF sticks to ambitious climate goals