Europe-wide alliance for PMMA recycling

Recycling plastics reduces waste and protects the environment. Some countries are already introducing binding recycling quotas. We at Röhm also take responsibility in view of limited resources and process valuable raw materials for reuse in production.

With its thermoplastic properties, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is particularly suitable for recycling. If mechanical recycling is not possible, PMMA can be broken down back into its precursor methyl methacrylate (MMA) with low energy consumption and high yields. Once purified, this monomer can then be converted back into PMMA in virgin-like quality. An international team at Röhm identified the technology required for this years ago and tested it on a pilot scale. But Röhm needed the right partners to bring this technology to an industrial scale and establish a Europe-wide collection system for PMMA recycling. “I am proud that we have now found them and are working together to implement our shared vision of a Circular Economy for PMMA,” says Lukas Dössel, Head of Circular Economy at Röhm.

What impact does this newly founded alliance have on the Circular Economy in Europe?

Together with our partner companies Pekutherm, Polyvantis and MyRemono, we want to establish a recycling system for PMMA plastics that meets the high quality requirements for this material. Our alliance has four key strengths. Firstly, the recycling concept is efficient.  In a multi-stage collection and sorting system, which also works for smaller companies, the most suitable recycling technology is selected for each material. Certified specialist companies in Europe check whether recyclable materials are suitable for mechanical recycling. Secondly, our cooperation is characterized by simplicity: Pekutherm sets up collection boxes on site at the companies and organizes the entire logistics. Participating companies usually even receive compensation for the waste materials provided. Thirdly, the recycling process is characterized by maximum flexibility. Even contaminated or mixed PMMA waste can be recycled into products of virgin-like quality thanks to innovative technologies. And fourthly, customers have a choice in that they can gradually drive forward their own decarbonization and purchase sustainable proTerra PMMA products. The self-declared goal of the new network is growth. In this respect, all PMMA processing companies in Europe are invited to participate.

What does the newly established alliance mean for Röhm?

The use of circular raw materials is a key lever for reducing our emissions by 30% compared to 2020 as part of our Track 2030 sustainability program. For example, the use of recycled MMA can reduce climate-damaging emissions in production by more than 90 percent. We want to give our customers the choice between the products they are familiar with and products with a proportion of renewable or recycled raw materials.  And with guaranteed availability of raw materials on an industrial scale.

Who else is this good news for?

Everyone benefits from the newly formed alliance. For recycling companies, it is finally worthwhile to cleanly separate and collect PMMA scrap as a valuable feedstock. PMMA processors have a central point of contact in Pekutherm, who provide tailored recycling solutions in each case. Car manufacturers or other PMMA processors can differentiate themselves on the market and benefit from a reliable supply of high-quality proTerra products.

What will be important for the success of the companies involved?

We will exchange information closely in order to learn from each other and operate the network economically. Separate collection of regular PMMA and impact-resistant PMMA, for example, can simplify the sorting task at Pekutherm and thus reduce costs. We will continue to work with PMMA processors on the concept of “design for recycling”. We also very much hope that EU legislation will create additional incentives to promote the recycling of PMMA and other plastics.

Where do you see the Alliance in five years' time?

Of course, I hope that we will generate a lot of interest and attract many more partners. The recycling technologies are modularly expandable, so that we can quickly “grow” with increasing recycling rates and also continue to refine the sorting processes. Ultimately, we want to recycle more than 10kt per year in the EU by 2030, continuously expand capacities and prevent valuable raw materials from being exported outside the EU or ending up in landfills. In the future, we want to take our concept and our experience to other regions of the world.