How can we succeed in turning plastics into a true circular economy? This question was at the heart of the symposium “Transformation of Chemistry – Challenges of Plastic Recycling,” held on November 6 and 7, 2025, in Leipzig.

For two days, experts from industry, science, and policy came together to discuss the most pressing challenges and the most promising solutions for a sustainable future. Organized by the Center for the Transformation of Chemistry (CTC), the event provided a platform for exchange, innovation, and concrete perspectives.

Why Plastic Recycling Matters Now

European regulations on circular economy are becoming stricter, especially for the automotive sector. Manufacturers are required to use more recycled materials, even though high-quality recyclates are still scarce. Recycling is a key building block on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050 and must go hand in hand with better product design and alternative raw materials.

Technological Approaches for a Circular Economy

Mechanical recycling is currently the most advanced method and has the lowest carbon footprint. In addition, chemical processes open up new possibilities: solvolysis and depolymerization enable the recovery of monomers for high-quality applications. Technologies such as plasma reforming, which converts mixed waste and CO₂ into syngas, as well as catalytic processes under hydrogen and enzymatic solutions for PET, were also presented.

Material Design as a Key Factor

Beyond recycling processes, material design plays a decisive role. Plastics can be developed in the future so that they can be deliberately broken down again, for example through cleavable bonds. Single-material concepts simplify reuse, and biotechnological approaches for polymer production and recycling complement the range of sustainable solutions.

Standardization and Digital Tools

To bring innovations into practice, clear standards and digital technologies are essential. New norms such as DIN SPEC 91446 increase transparency and quality for recyclates. AI-based sorting systems and modern sensor technology improve efficiency and precision in waste separation. Discussions highlighted that stable supply chains, long-term regulatory certainty, and close partnerships are crucial to enable investments and increase the availability of high-quality recyclates.

Shaping the Future Together

The closing panel discussion made it clear that there is no single solution. Instead, various approaches must be combined intelligently. The path to a resilient circular economy requires gradual improvements, common standards, and the courage to scale up new technologies to industrial levels.

Conclusion: The symposium demonstrated that transforming chemistry can only succeed through collaboration, innovation, and the consistent use of sustainable technologies.

Photos: Vincent Grätsch