Forum Chemical Recycling: Overcoming Barriers
Chemical recycling is emerging as a transformative solution for managing plastic waste, complementing traditional mechanical methods and addressing limitations in recycling complex or contaminated materials. By breaking down polymers into molecular components, it enables the production of virgin-quality feedstocks, reduces reliance on fossil resources, and supports circular economy goals.
About Chemical Recycling
The forum is geared to present case studies, discuss economic and ecological feasibility, and promote networking in order to encourage the industry to create value from currently unutilized waste streams.
Objectives of the Forum
- demonstrate economic feasibility and environmental benefits
- present and discuss case studies and success stories
- enable the industry to create value from currently undervalued waste streams
- promote knowledge, networks, and R&D projects
- enhance circularity and climate protection by reducing waste and CO2 emissions
AGENDA
08.30 h Welcome coffee
09.00 h Kick-off
Introduction by OST, FHNW, Empa
Welcome address by INOS KTN,
KUNSTSTOFFE.swiss, InnoRecycling
09.30 h Unlocking the potential of chemical recycling
Irina Yarulina, Sulzer Chemtech
10.00 h Chemical recycling – technology overview,
state-of-play and relevancy to the Swiss market
Thomas Blocher, BUSS ChemTech AG
10.30 h Coffee break
11.00 h Update on PET depolymerization
Pelin Uran, DePoly
11.20 h Value creation from waste tire pyrolysis
Ralf Schwarz, Pyrum Innovation
11.40 h Life cycle assessment of chemical recycling
Jonas Karg, Sphera
12.00 h Lunch/networking
13.30 h Low-regret climate change impacts for
polyurethane waste supply chains in Germany
Martin Pillich, ETHZ
14.00 h Parallel workshops
15.00 h Coffee break
15.30 h Recycling polyols from PU/PIR waste
Marco Werth, RAMPF Advanced Polymers
15.50 h High-quality pyrolysis oil from mixed plastics
Albert Paparo, ENESPA AG
16.10 h Fate of additives & contaminants
in chemical recycling of plastic
JB Michel, Humana Consulting
16.30 h Wrap up & discussion
17.00 h Apéro
More Informations: 2025_OST_Programme_Forum_Chemical-Recycling-1
- Wednesday, Octobre 29th, 2025
09.00 – 17.00 h, Apéro afterwards - 1-day workshop, in-person; streaming will be available
- target audience: polymer processing and recycling companies, research, startups, interest groups
- Switzerland Innovation Park Ost
Lerchenfeldstrasse 3
9014 St.Gallen - streaming will be available
- CHF 139
- (CHF 39 for online participation)
Confirmed speakers
- Irina Yarulina, Sulzer Chemtech: Unlocking the potential of chemical recycling
- Hendrik Rasch, Evonik: Collaboration for a circular economy
- Pelin Uran, DePoly: Update on PET depolymerization
- Ralf Schwarz, Pyrum Innovation: Value creation from waste tire pyrolysis
- Jonas Karg, Sphera: Life cycle assessment of chemical recycling
- Martin Pillich, ETHZ: Low-regret climate change impacts for polyurethane waste supply chains in Germany
- Marco Werth, RAMPF Advanced Polymers: Recycling polyols from PU/PIR waste
- Albert Paparo, ENESPA AG: High-quality pyrolysis oil from mixed plastics
- JB Michel, Humana Consulting: Plastic to chemicals projects in Europe
- Parallel workshops & discussion
Topics
- Economic assessment of chemical recycling
- Environmental evaluation, LCAs, circularity and climate impact
- Case studies, R&D projects, pilot plants, success stories
- Experience outside Switzerland, waste and product flows
Partner
Organisers
Looking forward to your registration!
Any questions? Please contact kommunikation@innovationspark-ost.ch
