influencing product selectivity. However, further elucidation of the structure-function relationship of catalysts – active site accessibility, metal dispersion, support interactions – is critical for optimising performance and durability. • Contaminant management : Additives, stabilisers, and degradation products can poison catalysts and degrade product quality. • Process integration : Aligning chemical recycling outputs with existing petrochemical infrastructure requires careful tuning of product properties and impurity profiles. • Economic viability : High capital and operating costs, cou- pled with volatile feedstock prices, challenge the business case for chemical recycling. Opportunities abound in the development of advanced catalysts, process intensification, and digitalisation (for example, real-time analytics for feedstock characterisation and process control). Conclusion Chemical recycling represents an essential pathway toward a more sustainable and circular economy. Advanced cata- lyst technologies that are used in several process pathways enable the transformation of waste plastics into high-value products, helping industries reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining economic viability. Much is to be said for utilising existing assets where pos- sible, as this is cost-effective (Opex), reduces investment (Capex), accelerates incrementation (speed), and lowers the need for all-or-nothing alternatives (risk).
By integrating recycled feedstock into existing assets, Ketjen’s solutions offer a pragmatic and impactful approach to sustainability. As the demand for circular products contin- ues to grow, catalysis will remain at the core of innovation. ReNewFine is a mark of Ketjen. References 1 OECD, 2022. Global Plastics Outlook. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/ environment/data/global-plastic-outlook_c0821f81-en. 2 Plastics Europe, Plastics – the fast Facts 2024. https://plasticseurope. org/knowledge-hub/plastics-the-fast-facts-2024/ 3 Houssini, K., Li, J., and Tan, Q., Complexities of the global plas- tics supply chain revealed in a trade-linked material flow analysis. Commun Earth Environ 6 , 257, 2025. https://www.nature.com/articles/ s43247-025-02169-5 4 Kusenberg, M., Eschenbacher, A., Djokic, M. R., Zayoud, A., Ragaert, K., De Meester, S., & Van Geem, K. M. Opportunities and challenges for the application of post-consumer plastic waste pyrolysis oils as steam cracker feedstocks: To decontaminate or not to decontami- nate?. Waste Management 138, 83 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j. wasman.2021.11.009 5 Baumgartner, A. J., Blaschke, M. W., Coleman, S. T., Kohler, R., and Paxson, T. E. (2004, April 25-29). Feedstock contaminants in ethyl- ene plants – an update. Paper presented at the AIChE Spring National Meeting, New Orleans, LA. Marc Nicolas is Global Business Director at Ketjen Corporation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Jaap Bergwerff is Business Development Director Renewables in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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