Global Experts Unite to Drive Advanced Recycling Forward
The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2025 convened nearly 220 experts from 28 countries in Hürth on 3 December 2025. The event showcased breakthrough research and strengthened cross-industry cooperation across key waste streams such as plastics, textiles, automotive materials and other complex composites. This year’s discussions highlighted continuous progress in physical recycling technologies, including extrusion and dissolution, alongside chemical solvolysis, biochemical enzymolysis and thermochemical pathways such as pyrolysis and gasification.
Digital Tools Strengthen Recycling Reliability
Advanced digital systems played a central role in the conversations. AI-enabled sorting and blockchain-based traceability are improving feedstock quality and stabilising circular value chains. These technologies also help industries tackle fluctuating waste volumes and mixed material inputs, which often challenge the scalability of recycling systems.
Rebuilding Trust in Chemical Recycling
ARC 2025 stressed the need for chemical recycling to reinforce industry trust by showing measurable gains in transparency, process efficiency and lifecycle accountability. The conference explored new strategies for textile and automotive recycling, especially for dealing with multi-material blends and tightening regulatory expectations. The integration of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) also demonstrated the shift toward more sustainable circular business models.
Infrastructure Expansion Becomes Urgent
Another key theme was the immediate need to expand recycling infrastructure. This development is crucial for the deployment of next-generation technologies and for meeting future regulatory requirements. Extensive networking at the event helped strengthen global partnerships. Delegates also visited Chemiepark Knapsack, where they observed industrial-scale operations of the technologies discussed.
Pathway to EU Recycling Targets
By uniting technology leaders, policymakers and investors, ARC 2025 created a clear strategic roadmap for achieving the EU’s ambitious goals. These include increasing post-consumer recycled plastics in packaging to 10–35 percent by 2030 and ensuring that 25 percent recycled content is used in new vehicles. The collaboration aims to improve feedstock access, reduce variability and close infrastructure gaps, ultimately supporting the growth of renewable carbon value chains and accelerating the defossilisation of the chemical sector.
More information and updates on upcoming events are available at https://advanced-recycling.eu.
Supported by Global Partners and Sponsors
ARC 2025 was backed by sponsors committed to advancing recycling technologies. Siemens supported the event as a gold sponsor. Buss ChemTech, Erema Group and Starlinger joined as bronze sponsors.
The conference also received support from industry organisations, non-profits and research bodies including BCNP Consultants, C.A.R.M.E.N., ChemCologne, Chemical Recycling Europe, Chemie-Cluster Bayern, CLIB, IBB Netzwerk, ITA – International Centre for Sustainable Textiles, kunststoffland.NRW, Plastics Europe, the Renewable Carbon Initiative and VinylPlus.
