Potential challenges and opportunities of using chemical recycling for plastic wastes

Plastic polymers comprise about 40% of the output of the global chemical recycling sector1. As we use and make plastic today, for each kilogram that is not reused or recycled, another kilogram is produced from non-renewable, fossil-based raw materials. Recycling of plastics waste into new plastics is an approach to increase the circularity of supply chains. According to the ‘Accelerating circular supply chains for plastics’ report by Closed Loop Partners, the demand for recycled plastics is strong, however the current supply of recycled plastics meets just 6% of this demand.