Dialog Forum on Chemical Recycling:
Life cycle analysis on energy requirements, CO2 emissions and the sustainability of ChemCyclingTM
Virtual dialog on October 13, 2020
BASF launched the ChemCyclingTM project for chemical recycling with the aim of manufacturing high-quality products from chemically recycled plastic waste on an industrial scale and thus making an important contribution to the circular economy. To examine the sustainability of chemical recycling, BASF commissioned a science-based life cycle assessment (LCA). We now presented the results of this LCA to a broad public, thereby promoting the exchange of information and knowledge and to stimulate discussion.
The Dialog Forum focused on the environmental aspects of chemical recycling and featured various experts as well as our project partners, who were available to answer questions in a subsequent discussion round.
The event was open to all interested parties from business, science, politics and administration, civil society organizations, associations and media and was held in German and English with simultaneous translation.
We thank you for your numerous participation.
Recordings of the Dialog Forum 2020
Thorsten Pinkepank: Welcome to the Dialog Forum on ChemCyclingTM
Dr. Lars Kissau: Introduction
Dr. Julia Vogel, German Environment Agency: Open questions of the German Environment Agency (UBA) about the environmental aspects
Eric Bouts, Südpack: Why chemical recycling? Advantages of products from chemical recycling
Carlos Monreal, Plastic Energy: Practical examples - Pyrolysis plants
Kjetil Bøhn, Quantafuel: Pyrolysis plants: Practical example
Dr. Christian Krüger: Results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of ChemCyclingTM – CO2 emissions of recycled mixed plastic waste and the mass balance approach
Dr. Florian Antony, Ökoinstitut, and Simon Hann, eunomia: Statements on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of ChemCyclingTM from critical reviewers
Thorsten Pinkepank: Discussion 1 Dialog Forum BASF
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Stapf, (KIT): Technical assessment on synergies between mechanical and chemical recycling including outlook
Jürgen Ephan, Remondis: Significance of chemical recycling from the point of view of the recycling industry
Thorsten Pinkepank: Discussion 2 Dialog Forum
Dr. Christian Lach: Conclusion of the Dialog Forum BASF
| Time | Content | Speaker |
| 1.00 – 1.05 | Welcome | Facilitator Thorsten Pinkepank, BASF SE |
| 1.05 – 1.15 | Introduction | Dr. Lars Kissau, BASF SE |
| 1.15 – 1.30 | Open questions of the German Environment Agency (UBA) about the environmental aspects |
Dr. Julia Vogel, German Environment Agency |
| 1.30 – 1.40 | Why chemical recycling? |
Erik Bouts, Südpack |
| 1.40 – 2.20 | Practical examples - Pyrolysis plants
|
Carlos Monreal, Plastic Energy Kjetil Bøhn, Quantafuel
|
| 2.20 – 2.40 | Results of the life cycle assessment (LCA) of ChemCyclingTM – CO2 emissions of recycled mixed plastic waste and the mass balance approach | Dr. Christian Krüger, BASF SE |
| 2.20 – 2.55 | Statements on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of pyrolysis | Prof. Adisa Azapagic, ETHOS Research Dr. Florian Antony, Ökoinstitut Simon Hann, Eunomia |
| 2.55 – 3.10 | Break | |
| 3.10 – 3.30 | Discussion |
Thorsten Pinkepank, BASF SE |
| 3.30 – 3.45 | Technical assessment on synergies between mechanical and chemical recycling including outlook | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dieter Stapf, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) |
| 3.45 – 3.55 | Significance of chemical recycling from the point of view of the recycling industry | Jürgen Ephan, Remondis |
| 3.55 – 4.15 | Discussion |
Thorsten Pinkepank, BASF SE |
| 4.15 – 4.30 | Conclusion | Dr. Christian Lach, BASF SE |