German polymer producer Covestro has begun operations at its mechanical recycling (MCR) compounding line for polycarbonates, at its facility in Shanghai, China. Earlier this year, the company unveiled a polycarbonate made of 90% recycled content.
Set to produce more than 25,000 tons of premium-quality polycarbonates and blends containing mechanically recycled materials annually, the line is a response to the growing demand for post-consumer-recycled (PCR) plastics, particularly in applications within the electrical and electronic products, automotive and consumer goods sectors.
The company also transformed an existing compounding line at its Map Ta Phut site in Thailand for mechanically recycled polycarbonate. This is intended to support its goal of supplying over 60,000 tons of recycled-content polycarbonates annually in the Asia-Pacific by 2026.
“The launch of our MCR production line marks another significant stride in our journey toward achieving a circular economy and operational climate neutrality by 2035,” said Sucheta Govil, chief commercial officer at Covestro. “Plastic waste recycling is pivotal in realizing this vision, and through the expansion of our recycled plastics production capacity, we aim to lead the way in driving sustainability across diverse industries.”
The company’s program to enhance polycarbonate production capacity and capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region also includes the addition of new production lines at sites in Shanghai and Guangzhou in China as well as in Greater Noida, India. The combined capacity now exceeds 100,000 metric tons annually.
According to Covestro, the projects have benefitted from the use of digital tools, which also reduced investment costs.
Dr Nicolas Stoeckel, head of operations, engineering plastics, said, “In this way, we aim not only to meet the growing demand for polycarbonate in Asia, but also to offer our customers there an improved product quality. Depending on demand, the upgrades can be used for compounding recycled or conventionally produced polycarbonate.”
