Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 Focuses on Moving Recycling from Innovation to Implementation
The Advanced Recycling Conference (ARC) 2026 will examine how innovative recycling technologies can move from development to commercial and industrial implementation. Scheduled for 17–18 November 2026 in Cologne, Germany, the conference will bring together industry leaders, technology providers, researchers, innovators, investors and policy-makers to discuss technologies, markets, financing and scale-up across emerging recycling solutions.
The event comes as Europe’s chemical and materials sector faces increasing pressure to close carbon loops, improve raw-material security and resilience, and meet ambitious EU recycling targets.
Focus on Plastics, Textiles and PVC Recycling
While plastics and polymer recycling remain central to the programme, ARC 2026 will place greater emphasis on textile recycling and material-specific challenges such as PVC recycling.
Dedicated sessions will explore advanced recycling technologies including dissolution, depolymerisation, pyrolysis and thermochemical recycling. The programme will also examine the role of digitalisation, financing and investment in accelerating the commercial deployment of these technologies.
International experts will assess market opportunities, environmental performance and the impact of changing policy and regulatory frameworks on the recycling sector.
With nearly 300 participants, the Advanced Recycling Conference has developed into an international meeting point for the recycling and materials industries. The event provides a platform for technology providers, businesses, researchers, investors and policy-makers to exchange practical knowledge and explore potential collaborations.
EU Regulations Increase Demand for Recycled Materials
The 2026 conference takes place amid tightening European regulations covering recycling quotas and recycled content.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces minimum recycled-content requirements ranging from 10% to 35% for different types of plastic packaging by 2030, with higher targets expected by 2040.
The proposed End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation would also require a minimum of 25% recycled plastic in new vehicles. If adopted, the measure could contribute to increased demand for recycled post-consumer plastics.
Meeting these requirements will require greater deployment of advanced recycling technologies alongside investment in infrastructure, with ARC 2026 addressing the technological, regulatory, market and environmental factors involved.
Key Conference Sessions
The programme will feature dedicated sessions covering:
- Advanced Recycling: Markets, Financing & Scaling
- Sustainability & Life Cycle Assessments
- Pyrolysis Oil Post-processing & Upgrading
- Textile Recycling
- PVC Recycling
- Depolymerisation Technologies for PET & Si-O-Based Polymers
- Dissolution Technologies
- Regulations and Tools for End-to-end Certifications Within the Recycling Loop
Collaboration Across the Recycling Value Chain
The Advanced Recycling Conference 2026 is supported by companies and organisations working towards circular material solutions. Siemens is the Gold Sponsor, while BUSS ChemTech and Yncoris are Silver sponsors, and Erema Group is a Bronze sponsor.
The event will also feature a trade exhibition and poster session, providing additional opportunities for industry professionals and researchers to exchange knowledge and showcase innovations.
Exhibition stands are available through the conference website, while poster submissions are open until 9 October 2026.
ARC 2026 is supported by industry and trade associations, non-profit organisations, research institutions and interest groups including BCNP Consultants, C.A.R.M.E.N., ChemCologne, Chemie-Cluster Bayern, CLIB, Fecc, IBB Netzwerk, kunststoffland.NRW, Plastics Europe, Renewable Carbon Initiative and VinylPlus.
The conference aims to strengthen collaboration across the recycling ecosystem and support the transition of advanced recycling technologies from innovation to scalable industrial implementation.
