STYROPOR® CCYCLED®
based on pyrolysis oil – from mixed plastic waste
Chemical recycling in practice
Schlaadt GmbH, together with other industry competence leaders, is involved in a recycling project in the plastics industry.
Styrofoam® has long been the focus of innovative industrial research projects due to its versatile applications and the development of modern recycling processes. Thanks to this commitment, many methods for recycling EPS already exist. However, goals have been set even higher, and leading companies in the plastics manufacturing sector have been working for some time on a completely new process for recycling plastics. The fundamental concept is to convert the polymer chains of mixed plastic waste back into pyrolysis oil through a pyrolysis process—in simple terms: to transform it back into a raw material from which new Styrofoam® granulate with identical properties can be produced.
The process is now in industrial use; the quantities available are currently still limited.
What BASF has been advancing since 2019 with household appliance manufacturer BSH (Bosch Home Appliances GmbH) and with competent support from the Schlaadt Group for the product Styrofoam® is now being used internationally by the premium brand Gaggenau. In the production of Styrofoam® Ccycled®, fossil raw materials are replaced at the beginning of the value chain by so-called pyrolysis oil, which is obtained 100% from mixed plastic waste through the innovative recycling process. The pyrolysis oil used is allocated to the product—Styrofoam® Ccycled®—via a mass balance approach. Both the mass balance approach and the product itself are independently certified by REDcert2. As a result, Styrofoam® Ccycled® has identical mechanical properties to conventional Styrofoam® as well as freely selectable densities and is suitable for use in the food sector.
For every tonne of Styropor® Ccycled®, a corresponding amount of fossil raw materials is replaced in accounting terms by pyrolysis oil from plastic waste.
Styropor® – the all-rounder. And role model.
Styropor® is not only light and durable, it also reliably protects packaged products from impacts, scratches, and more. For this reason, the BSH Group has long relied on the expertise and products from Schlaadt for the transport packaging of its household appliances. The group’s premium brand – Gaggenau – is the first to take the innovative step towards Styropor® Ccycled®. Silke Maurer, Chief Operating Officer of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, explains why: “By using Styropor® packaging made from raw materials sourced from chemical recycling, we are actively contributing to our sustainability goals and to cross-industry circular economy.”
Styropor® molded parts are extremely versatile products. As packaging, they effectively protect the products entrusted to them against transport damage or temperature fluctuations. In addition, they can be found in the field of building insulation, right through to protective elements in vehicles or helmets. And one thing becomes clear on closer inspection: Styropor® molded parts consist of around 98% air. They protect products with minimal material use and low weight. Styropor® Ccycled® additionally replaces fossil raw materials in accounting terms with pyrolysis oil from plastic waste. Stefan Schlaadt, Managing Director of Schlaadt GmbH, comments: “In addition to the mechanical recycling of Styropor® molded parts, ChemCycling is a key component of our sustainability strategy. We published our emissions targets through 2030 in the sustainability report. We are proud to have helped shape this process together with BASF and BSH.”
