PM_Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag
Press Release

January 23, 2025

Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag – strategic partnership in the growing market for chemically recycled PET

Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag have announced their cooperation to promote chemical recycling of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste.

  • Evonik and Oerlikon begin collaboration on chemical recycling of PET.
  • Innovative technologies and sustainable business models to increase value chain reach.
  • New and cost-effective processes to drive sustainable PET recycling.

Essen, Germany. Evonik and Oerlikon Barmag have announced their cooperation to promote chemical recycling of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. Both companies are committed to develop technologies for robust and efficient depolymerisation and purification processes, coupled with an integrated concept for repolymerisation and the associated EPC business models.

Oerlikon plans to implement the full solution by the end of this decade, with the involvement of additional partners for feedstock, technology, and production. The technology will be made available to third parties to help realize the growth potential of PET as a circular plastic without ecological or economic disadvantages.

“This partnership marks a great step forward in the chemical recycling of PET. Our new catalytic processes and chemical technologies will complement the current mechanical recycling approach enabling high recycled PET content from heavily contaminated and mixed PET waste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled. This way we are actively supporting a sustainable circular economy,” said Max Preisenberger, Head of Catalysts at Evonik.

“We are firmly convinced that with Evonik we gained a strong and experienced partner in the field of specialty chemicals, and together we will establish a significant market position as a total solution provider in the growth market for chemical recycling of PET, but also drive the next generation of sustainability within the plastics industry,” said Georg Stausberg, CEO of Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Solutions.

The partners plan to fully launch and commercialize the jointly developed chemical recycling technology solution by the end of the current decade. The intensive involvement and active participation of other companies within the ecosystem (including feedstock, technology and production) and the establishment of a global development partner network are planned.

Seamless integration into PET production processes

The PET recycling technology will bring numerous advantages. From a chemical perspective it is a highly efficient process, and it can be seamlessly integrated into existing PET production processes. Operational costs, investment cost and scalability are the key drivers in the development.

The combination of cooperative know-how in catalyst and process technologies will enable the chemical recycling of polyester materials from various closed- and open-loop sources, which require chemical technology to achieve high, fossil-like recyclate qualities.

About Evonik

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €15.3 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.66 billion in 2023. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. About 32,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

About Smart Materials

The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of €4.46 billion in 2023 with more than 8,100 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.