The clean path to the
circular economy
Win-win solution for the economy, environment and society: The true circular economy enables innovative solutions that make the elimination of petroleum-based virgin plastic tangible and stand for a more sustainable future.
More and more countries and companies around the world are recognizing the importance of transitioning to a circular economy. Because only with closed loops can we tackle environmental challenges, reduce dependence on finite resources and create more sustainable and resilient economies.
The circular economy is based on new approaches to avoid waste, recycle raw materials as often as possible and thus extend their life cycle. The aim is to consider and close the entire product cycle. Every clean cycle begins with the design and manufacture of a product and with pollutant-free raw materials.
For the smartcard market, we use existing plastic waste and reintroduce it into the cycle, including marine plastic.
It sounds like a vision, but it is already a reality: plastic can be recycled indefinitely
Pollutant-free materials
Chemical recycling is the key
Only around 20% of plastic waste can be mechanically recycled. In addition, mechanical recycling results in a secondary raw material of lower quality and merely delays disposal. Around 80% of plastic waste can be recycled chemically (molecularly or enzymatically).
Chemical recycling is a mature and proven technology that provides a secondary raw material of the highest quality.
MECHANICAL AND CHEMICAL RECYCLING: INTERACTION AND PROPERTIES
Mechanical recycling
Chemical recycling
Optimum life cycle assessment (LCA), as the waste is processed in the most energy-efficient way.
Product-to-product recycling such as methanolysis, enzymatic recycling and hydrolysis are technologies with a better life cycle assessment (LCA) than comparable fossil raw materials.
Waste sources are limited to pre-sorted, primarily clean and unmixed sources.
Various waste sources are possible, as contaminated waste can also be recycled.
The constantly decreasing and inconsistent performance limits the applications.
The material properties and tolerance windows remain identical to new material.
Without the addition of new material to the cycle, impurities increase rapidly and the risk of toxins in the cycle increases.
Foreign substances and toxins are removed.
Polymer degradation progresses with every recycling process and inevitably leads to waste ending up in incinerators or landfill sites.
Unlimited number of recycling cycles. There is no end to the product life cycle (end-of-life).
Both technologies are required to prevent waste and create a true circular economy
No more end-of-life
Even today, fully recyclable clean plastics such as polyester (PET, PETG) and polylactide (PLA) can be recycled as often as required with the help of chemical recycling. There is no longer a classic end in the product life cycle (end-of-life). Chemical recycling provides a secondary raw material of the highest quality, identical to a petroleum-based primary plastic.
The true circular economy shows which plastics are sustainable. Let's take responsibility together and do our bit to solve the plastic challenge for future generations. Let's say yes to truly clean plastics and halogen-free smartcards.
