Double recognition for BASF's PA6 recycling pilot technologies: MATERIALICA Award 2026 winner and runner-up at the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026

• Depolymerization and solvent-based recycling demonstrated at pilot scale for high-quality recycled materials in automotive applications
• Technologies show potential to support circularity and CO₂ reduction in the automotive industry following further development and scale-up
• Collaboration along the value chain with Mercedes-Benz AG, ZF Group and Pöppelmann K-TECH was essential for the pilot projects

Ludwigshafen, October 16, 2026 – BASF has received two awards for pilot projects exploring innovative approaches to closing the loop on engineering plastics. The two recycling projects for polyamide 6 (PA6) presented at K 2025 – depolymerization and solvent-based recycling – received both the MATERIALICA Award 2026 (winner in the category “CO₂ Efficiency”) and the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 (2nd place in the category “sustainability”). The awards recognize the technological progress achieved at pilot scale and the potential of both processes to contribute to closed material loops for demanding automotive applications in the future. Together with Mercedes-Benz, ZF and Pöppelmann K-TECH, the technologies were successfully demonstrated under pilot conditions on near-production components designed to closely reflect real series applications rather than purely demonstrative parts. Further development and scale-up would be required for industrial-scale implementation.

With these two complementary advanced recycling approaches, BASF and the consortium mentioned above are investigating how different waste streams from the automotive industry could be addressed in the future. The pilot projects aim to demonstrate the technical feasibility of recovering high-quality polyamide 6 from end-of-life vehicles and reusing it in demanding engineering applications. 

If successfully developed and scaled to industrial operation, these processes could contribute to meeting future requirements of the European End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), which is driving increased use of recycled materials in vehicles. 

Depolymerization: From end-of-life parts back to the monomer

In the depolymerization pilot, used PA6 components, such as heavily contaminated transmission oil pans from end-of-life vehicles, were chemically broken down into their original monomer, caprolactam. After purification and repolymerization, the material was transformed into PA6 with properties comparable to virgin material. Together with ZF, BASF processed the resulting glass-fiber-reinforced PA6 compound into a stabilizer link for Mercedes-Benz. Under the conditions applied, the components met all mechanical requirements and exhibited processing behavior comparable to virgin material. These results confirm the fundamental technical feasibility of the approach; further work would be required to establish its viability at industrial scale. 

Solvent-based recycling unlocks complex waste streams

Solvent-based recycling was demonstrated at pilot scale using complex waste fractions such as automotive shredder residue (ASR). In the process, PA6 and PA66 were separated from the mixed shredder fraction and cleaned, with PA6 selectively recovered by solvent extraction. Together with Pöppelmann K-TECH, BASF processed the resulting recycled material into a chain guide rail for Mercedes-Benz, a highly stressed engine component with demanding requirements for wear resistance, temperature resistance and media resistance. The results indicate that this approach can technically recover high-quality engineering plastics from complex, previously hard-to-recycle waste streams. Further development and scale-up would be required to assess the potential for industrial implementation, which could ultimately be pursued by other market participants rather than BASF.

Recognition for circularity in the automotive industry

The two award-winning pilot projects demonstrate the technical potential of closed PA6 loops, including the use of waste streams that have previously been difficult or impossible to recycle and the incorporation of recycled materials into highly stressed automotive components. Initial life cycle analyses at pilot-project level also indicate the potential for a significantly reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) compared with virgin material. These findings are promising but do not yet constitute proof of industrial-scale performance.

“Being awarded second place at the Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 and winning the MATERIALICA Award 2026 confirms the potential of our advanced recycling technologies. Together with our partners, we have demonstrated at pilot scale that PA6 from end-of-life vehicles can be recovered and used in demanding automotive components. This is an important proof of technical feasibility on the path towards a truly circular economy,” says Oliver Geiger, Senior Manager Sustainability Performance Materials at BASF.

Strong partnerships as a key success factor

Turning end-of-life vehicles into a source of high-quality materials requires more than technology. It takes a strong ecosystem approach and close collaboration across the value chain. Together, BASF, Mercedes-Benz, ZF and Pöppelmann K-TECH produced real automotive components from recycled end-of-life vehicle PA6 and successfully validated them under pilot conditions. The collaboration provides a foundation for the additional technical, economic and operational work needed before any potential industrial-scale implementation.

About BASF 

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 95,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €60 billion in 2025. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.

About BASF’s Performance Materials division 

BASF’s Performance Materials division drives the transformation of the plastics industry by uniting sustainability with high performance. Our materials expertise, deep industry know-how, and broad product portfolio make us the preferred partner for comprehensive solutions across the plastics lifecycle. With dedicated material-focused teams, strong R&D power, and a global production network close to our customers, we deliver tailored offerings that meet regional and industry specific needs. Our products enhance performance and efficiency in key sectors such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Together with our partners, we embark on #OurPlasticsJourney towards a more circular and sustainable future. In 2025, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of €6.4 billion.

Join #OurPlasticsJourney on LinkedIn https://on.basf.com/PM_LinkedIn and in our newsletter https://on.basf.com/PM_Newsletter.

Further information at https://www.performance-materials.basf.com.

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