Covestro has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art pilot plant for recycling elastomers at its Leverkusen site, representing an investment in the double-digit million euro range. The facility, expected to be technically completed within a year, will utilize a novel chemical recycling process for Vulkollan® elastomers, offering a sustainable solution to end-of-life materials like forklift tires.

This innovative process enables the recycling of more than 90% of end-of-life material and reduces the carbon footprint by up to two-thirds compared to virgin materials. “The pilot plant and our commitment to circular solutions mark a significant milestone for our elastomer products,” said Dr. Thomas Braig, Head of the Elastomers business entity. “With successful scale-up, we can meet customer demands for end-of-life solutions and carbon footprint reduction while maintaining high product quality.”

The new chemical recycling technology differs from mechanical recycling by breaking down elastomeric materials into purified chemical building blocks for reuse. It ensures the same quality standards as virgin materials, extending applications to automotive jounce bumpers and forklift tires.

Covestro aims to refine the process at the pilot scale, explore various waste streams, and collaborate with partners to develop a larger commercial recycling plant in the future. The investment aligns with Covestro's broader goals of driving sustainability, fostering innovation, and advancing circular economy principles in the elastomers industry.