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Integrated solutions for mechanical recycling

Plastics deserve a chance at a new life

As part of our commitment to create a sustainable and circular future, BASF offers solutions for each of the stages of the recycling process, from sorting to extrusion, helping to improve and preserve the quality of recycled plastics.

All the solutions in one place

What is mechanical recycling? 

Mechanical recycling is the recovery and processing of plastic waste, transforming it into secondary raw materials for new applications. There are many steps of mechanical recycling including sorting, grinding, washing, re-granulation, and compounding before the material is ready to be reused.

Each step of the process requires different chemistries and technologies in order to produce safe and high-quality post-consumer recyclate (PCR). At the same time, because this process does not change the chemical structure of the material or require highly specialized equipment, it is easily scaled and implemented in many places in the world. 

Mechanical recycling is an essential component of the circular economy for plastics.

BASF and Sirmay partner to improve the mechanical recycling process

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Hundreds of plastic water bottles compacted together at a recycling plant
What is the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling?

What is the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling?

The main difference between these two recycling approaches is the impact to the polymer structure. Chemical recycling, which includes many different specific technologies, returns the polymer to its original building blocks (monomers), or even back to feedstock material in order to produce new plastics. 
Read full answer
The collaboration is part of BASF’s ChemCyclingTM project which focusses on chemically reprocessing post-consumer plastic waste on an industrial scale. The pyrolysis oil is fed into the BASF Verbund in Ludwigshafen, thereby replacing fossil resources. The share of recycled raw material is allocated to certain products manufactured in the Verbund by using a third-party audited mass balance approach. The products which carry the name suffix “CcycledTM” have the exact same properties as those manufactured from fossil feedstock. Customers can therefore further process them in the same way as conventionally manufactured products and use them in applications with high demands regarding quality and performance, such as automotive parts.
What are the main challenges of mechanical recycling?

What are the main challenges of mechanical recycling?

Many challenges exist throughout the mechanical recycling value chain illustrated above, starting with the availability and execution of a collection infrastructure. For example, only about 15% of plastic waste is collected in the US, but in Japan and Germany, the number is 87% and 67% respectively due to smaller geographic distances and extensive investment in waste collection infrastructure.
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BASF’s IrgaCycleTM helps pineapple plantations in Malaysia by stabilizing recycled plastics used in protecting pineapples from sunburn.
Is mechanical recycling really beneficial for the environment?

Is mechanical recycling really beneficial for the environment?

Simply increasing the amount of plastic that are recycled immediately reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills or leaks into the environment. That alone should be enough motivation to increase recycling globally. 
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Mec_Recycling_iStock_4620712Medium_cmyk.jpg
Can all plastics be recycled?

Can all plastics be recycled?

Most plastics can be recycled! Many pieces of plastic, particularly packaging items, are marked with Resin Identification Codes (RIC) that indicate the type of plastic used to make the item. However, not all recycling facilities can recycled each type of plastic, as they can require very different treatment processes.
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Learn more about BASF businesses supporting mechancial recycling

TrinamiX_Kunststoff_Recycling.jpg
trinamiX

trinamiX

BASF subsidiary trinamiX enables on-the-spot plastic sorting with its Mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solution. Using trinamiX technology, the composition of plastic parts can be rapidly identified through a handheld device that combines patented NIR detectors, sophisticated data analysis, and a user-friendly mobile app.
Learn more
chemetall.png
Chemetall

Chemetall

The surface treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand, offers formulated and integrated cleaning agents, aimed at enhancing quality, productivity and safety of PET recycling processes. Our products are set to be the gold standard in optimizing the washing and wastewater treatment processes. 
BASF_PC-004070_Visuals_VALERAS_PCF.jpg
Plastic Additives

Plastic Additives

At BASF Plastic Additives, we are focused on delivering solutions that contribute to the sustainability of plastics: making them lighter, stronger, and more durable. We innovate with partners in the plastics recycling value chain to create a circular economy.
Join us on the journey: create new VALue for plastics in the ERA of Sustainability with VALERAS®
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Resycure

Resycure

Resycure‘s platform helps high-quality recyclers with a growth mindset to gain clients, large volumes, and long-term contracts directly with large Brand Owners and packaging converters. We also connect recyclers with technology partners to help them reach client specifications, and collaborate with financing institutions to secure favorable funding for future investments.
TrinamiX_Kunststoff_Recycling.jpg
trinamiX

trinamiX

BASF subsidiary trinamiX enables on-the-spot plastic sorting with its Mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solution. Using trinamiX technology, the composition of plastic parts can be rapidly identified through a handheld device that combines patented NIR detectors, sophisticated data analysis, and a user-friendly mobile app.
chemetall.png
Chemetall

Chemetall

The surface treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand, offers formulated and integrated cleaning agents, aimed at enhancing quality, productivity and safety of PET recycling processes. Our products are set to be the gold standard in optimizing the washing and wastewater treatment processes. 
Learn more
BASF_PC-004070_Visuals_VALERAS_PCF.jpg
Plastic Additives

Plastic Additives

At BASF Plastic Additives, we are focused on delivering solutions that contribute to the sustainability of plastics: making them lighter, stronger, and more durable. We innovate with partners in the plastics recycling value chain to create a circular economy.
Join us on the journey: create new VALue for plastics in the ERA of Sustainability with VALERAS®
Thumbnail1.png
Resycure

Resycure

Resycure‘s platform helps high-quality recyclers with a growth mindset to gain clients, large volumes, and long-term contracts directly with large Brand Owners and packaging converters. We also connect recyclers with technology partners to help them reach client specifications, and collaborate with financing institutions to secure favorable funding for future investments.
TrinamiX_Kunststoff_Recycling.jpg
trinamiX

trinamiX

BASF subsidiary trinamiX enables on-the-spot plastic sorting with its Mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solution. Using trinamiX technology, the composition of plastic parts can be rapidly identified through a handheld device that combines patented NIR detectors, sophisticated data analysis, and a user-friendly mobile app.
chemetall.png
Chemetall

Chemetall

The surface treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand, offers formulated and integrated cleaning agents, aimed at enhancing quality, productivity and safety of PET recycling processes. Our products are set to be the gold standard in optimizing the washing and wastewater treatment processes. 
BASF_PC-004070_Visuals_VALERAS_PCF.jpg
Plastic Additives

Plastic Additives

At BASF Plastic Additives, we are focused on delivering solutions that contribute to the sustainability of plastics: making them lighter, stronger, and more durable. We innovate with partners in the plastics recycling value chain to create a circular economy.
Join us on the journey: create new VALue for plastics in the ERA of Sustainability with VALERAS®
Learn more
Thumbnail1.png
Resycure

Resycure

Resycure‘s platform helps high-quality recyclers with a growth mindset to gain clients, large volumes, and long-term contracts directly with large Brand Owners and packaging converters. We also connect recyclers with technology partners to help them reach client specifications, and collaborate with financing institutions to secure favorable funding for future investments.
chemetall.png
Chemetall

Chemetall

The surface treatment global business unit of BASF’s Coatings division operating under the Chemetall brand, offers formulated and integrated cleaning agents, aimed at enhancing quality, productivity and safety of PET recycling processes. Our products are set to be the gold standard in optimizing the washing and wastewater treatment processes. 
BASF_PC-004070_Visuals_VALERAS_PCF.jpg
Plastic Additives

Plastic Additives

At BASF Plastic Additives, we are focused on delivering solutions that contribute to the sustainability of plastics: making them lighter, stronger, and more durable. We innovate with partners in the plastics recycling value chain to create a circular economy.
Join us on the journey: create new VALue for plastics in the ERA of Sustainability with VALERAS®
Thumbnail1.png
Resycure

Resycure

Resycure‘s platform helps high-quality recyclers with a growth mindset to gain clients, large volumes, and long-term contracts directly with large Brand Owners and packaging converters. We also connect recyclers with technology partners to help them reach client specifications, and collaborate with financing institutions to secure favorable funding for future investments.
Learn more
TrinamiX_Kunststoff_Recycling.jpg
trinamiX

trinamiX

BASF subsidiary trinamiX enables on-the-spot plastic sorting with its Mobile Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy Solution. Using trinamiX technology, the composition of plastic parts can be rapidly identified through a handheld device that combines patented NIR detectors, sophisticated data analysis, and a user-friendly mobile app.

Questions? Get in Contact

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