Closed-loop recycling is becoming increasingly important for engineering plastics. However, these materials often contain unwanted components that prevent high quality reuse. ReSolved Technologies sees the solution in literally dissolving the waste streams. We believe the market is now ready.

Engineering plastics, including polycarbonates, polyamides, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and HIPS (high-impact polystyrene), are characterised by high mechanical strength and are widely used, for example, in cars and electronic equipment. These are large applications that also generate a large waste stream; in 2022, the global e-waste stream alone accounted for some 17 million tonnes of discarded plastics. And this is only expected to increase in the foreseeable future.

What should we do with it? Dissolve it and recycle it. At least that’s what Norbert Fraunholcz, ceo and founder of ReSolved Technologies, based at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen, is hoping to do. Within a year, he expects to have a pilot plant ready that will use a new process to prepare engineering plastics for reuse. With this, we hope to really get the recycling of engineering plastics off the ground.