Plastics & Rubber
Targeted recovery of plastics - even from complex waste streams
Some plastic waste is difficult to recycle with conventional methods. Solvent‑based recycling offers a way to recover these materials while keeping their quality.
The idea is simple:
Plastic waste is dissolved in a special liquid. Only the target plastic dissolves, while other materials such as colors or impurities are left behind. The plastic is then brought back into a solid form, so it can be recovered and reused.
The result is a very pure material that can be used to make new, high‑quality plastic products.
When is solvent-based recycling the right solution?
Solvent‑based recycling is particularly suitable for complex, contaminated or multilayer plastic waste, as well as for materials with high requirements regarding purity and performance.
The more selectively the solvent is tailored to the target polymer, the more efficient the recycling process becomes.
Contribution to the Circular Economy
Solvent-based recycling helps close plastic loops by recovering polymers from complex waste streams to a quality nearly equivalent to virgin material. This process complements mechanical recycling and expands the possibilities for keeping even challenging plastic waste in the loop.
See how BASF applies solvent-based recycling in practice:
From shredder to guide rail: Solvent-based PA6 recycling
BASF, Mercedes-Benz, and Poeppelmann teamed up to kick-off the next level in physical recycling: revamping the Polyamide 6 (PA6) fraction from the shredder residue of end-of-life vehicles (ASR). Using a special solvent-based recycling process, they turn this material into high-quality plastics that can be used in new car parts. Together the partners have demonstrated that solvent-based recycling can be a complementary recycling technology enabling the production of closed-loop recyclates that deliver high performance in demanding automotive applications. This technology helps to overcome incineration or landfilling of the ASR. Don’t burn it – revamp it!