A journey towards circular materials and advanced recycling

Basf’s participation in K 2025 will centre around the message “Our Plastics Journey” – a strategic and technological journey that tackles today’s complexity while aiming squarely at a fully circular plastics economy through innovations in materials, processes, and digital models.

For the multinational company, plastic is not a static material but one in motion, heading towards a clear destination: the circular transition. Among Basf’s key targets are a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030, and a 50% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, alongside the expansion of its circular portfolio value from 1 billion euros to 5 billion euros. These goals are supported by investments in industrial electrification, pilot plants powered by renewables, and carbon capture solutions.

The journey towards sustainability translates into new low-carbon-footprint materials. Basf has broadened its PCF – Product Carbon Footprint – portfolio, which enables the quantification and communication of emissions associated with individual materials. Highlights include biopolymers such as ecobio and ecoflex for long-lasting technical applications, and new recycled grades for mobility featuring high performance and environmental compatibility.

A central area of the “Plastics Journey” is advanced recycling, approached through a multi-technology perspective: mechanical recycling for homogeneous streams, chemical recycling for mixed waste, depolymerisation and high-temperature gasification, as well as advanced sorting technologies, including ultrasound solutions and digital classification. A tangible result has been achieved in the recycling of polyurethane – both rigid and flexible – for furniture and insulation, in cooperation with European partners. Furthermore, BASF is investing in textile-to-textile recycling, automotive, and industrial electronics sectors.

In an increasingly stringent regulatory context, Basf has developed the Pacific project for digital traceability – an interoperable platform designed to standardise data exchange across the entire value chain. A core element of this project is the Digital Material Passport, which addresses EU regulations on bio-based and recycled content as well as extended producer responsibility.

“Our Plastics Journey” is also an invitation to collaborate. "This transition cannot be tackled alone. We need engaged customers, partners across the value chain, and a clear, enabling regulatory framework," said Alexander Weiss, Vice President and Head of BASF Performance Materials Europe.