APR ChemCycle

Chemical recycling breaks down plastics at the molecular level through processes such as pyrolysis, which involves heating the plastics in the absence of oxygen to convert them into simpler chemical compounds. This method allows for the recovery of valuable raw materials, such as synthetic oil or monomers, which can then be reintroduced into the manufacturing process to produce new, high-quality plastics identical to those made from virgin materials. Unlike mechanical recycling, which often results in downcycled products with limited applications, chemical recycling preserves the integrity of the raw materials, enabling them to be used repeatedly without degradation in quality. This approach is particularly advantageous for processing contaminated or mixed plastic waste, which can be challenging to recycle mechanically due to the need for extensive cleaning and sorting. By converting these difficult-to-recycle plastics into valuable resources, chemical recycling offers a more sustainable and circular approach to managing soft plastic waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and helping to address the global plastic waste crisis.