Top 8 Plastic Recycling Innovations and Trends for 2024

People are getting more worried about plastic waste, and government rules are cracking down on plastic use. Because of this, plastic recyclers are working harder to recycle more efficiently and cut down on emissions.

We’re offering a complete overview of global plastic recycling trends for 2024 and beyond, so you can stay updated with the latest industry news. Chemical recycling is getting more attention and investment, helping to improve traditional recycling methods. Startups are also creating new mechanical recycling technologies, including AI-driven systems to make recycling more effective. Manufacturers, collectors, and recyclers are all working to be more transparent about how they handle materials, aiming to keep plastics out of landfills and improve waste management.

Innovation Map outlines the Top 8 Plastic Recycling Trends & 16 Promising Startups

To explore the top global mobility trends and startups, we checked out 986 startups and scaleups from around the world. This research gives you the latest scoop on innovations in plastic recycling, helping you make better decisions. With our Plastic Recycling Innovation Map, you’ll see the new trends and startups that could impact your business.

Top 8 Plastic Recycling Trends for 2024

1. Pyrolysis

When hydrocarbon plastic waste is heated without oxygen, it breaks down into pyrolytic oil. Pyrolysis plants then convert this oil into fuel similar to gasoline or diesel, and also produce other byproducts like petrochemicals, liquid petroleum gas, and carbon ash. New advances in pyrolysis technology, including fast and ultra-fast methods, allow recyclers to process large amounts of waste more quickly.

Plastic recycling companies are also finding ways to reduce energy use and emissions in pyrolysis plants, making the process more sustainable. Additionally, pyrolytic fuel can replace diesel in engines, providing recycling facilities with an extra source of income and helping us move toward a low-carbon future.

Pyrolyze manufactures Portable Pyrolysis Plants

Dutch startup Pyrolyze has developed a handy 3 kg plastic pyrolysis demo plant that transforms mixed waste plastics or motor oil into fuel and carbon ash. Its portable, wheeled design makes it easy to move around.

The plant features a single automated distillation line and a PLC control system, letting you test different settings with each batch. In just 5 hours, it can convert common plastics into diesel, lighter oils, carbon ash, and syngas. Pyrolyze also offers a larger plant that processes 350 liters of used motor oil per day, turning it into diesel, naphtha, and gas.

Waste Chakra makes a Decentralized Plastic Pyrolysis Machine

Waste Chakra is an Indian startup that makes a compact, mobile plastic pyrolysis machine. This handy device can handle plastics of different sizes and only needs 1 kilogram of plastic to start recycling. Plus, it has a solar-powered mode, making it eco-friendly and cost-effective. This is perfect for small and medium recycling businesses that want to use pyrolysis without spending a lot of money.

2. Innovative Depolymerization

Breaking down plastic waste into its basic building blocks, called monomers, helps recyclers recover a lot of useful material. Depolymerization techniques make this process faster. Startups are using both chemical and biological methods to extract these monomers from waste.

One cool method is enzymatic recycling, where special bacteria break down plastic waste into high-quality monomers. This not only maintains the quality of the recycled materials but also adds real value, as these monomers can replace fossil fuels in making new plastics.

Scindo offers Enzymatic Plastic Recycling

Scindo, a UK startup, has an exciting new way to recycle plastic using enzymes. Their technology breaks down plastic into valuable molecules that can be used in chemicals, biotech, and pharmaceuticals. This method is a great alternative to traditional plastic waste methods, keeping plastic out of landfills and incinerators. It also supports a circular economy and opens up new opportunities for profit.

DePoly facilitates Chemical Depolymerization

Swiss startup DePoly has come up with a smart way to chemically recycle PET plastics. Their method breaks down PET into raw monomers without the need for extensive sorting, washing, or separating. It even works on multi-layered and multi-colored items.

What’s great is that DePoly’s process produces purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and mono-ethylene glycol (MEG), which are clean enough to make new PET. This allows manufacturers to use plastic waste instead of fossil fuels to create high-quality PET.

3. Advanced Mechanical Recycling

Mechanical recycling is a smart and cost-effective way to manage plastic waste. Since the quality of waste impacts how well this method works, the industry is developing new ideas for better collection, sorting, and separation. This includes using AI to speed up sorting and improving logistics to ensure high-quality waste.

These innovations help recyclers turn low-quality waste into high-quality recycled plastics. New technologies, like robot-assisted conveyor belts, also help speed up the sorting and grading process, making recycling more efficient.

Veridis provides Plastic Analysis

Veridis, a Dutch startup, has created a cool tool called MADSCAN to check the quality of plastics using thermal scanning. This device uses differential scanning calorimetry to see how the heat capacity of plastic changes with temperature.

MADSCAN accurately detects melting, glass transitions, phase changes, and curing. It’s easy to use and doesn’t need much sample prep or a specific sample size. This helps plastic recyclers get detailed “fingerprints” of their materials, improving their recycling processes and boosting the value of their recycled plastics.

Wecycle advances Sustainable Recycling

Wecycle is a non-profit in Oslo, Norway, with a local recycling facility. They use open-source recycling machines from the Precious Plastic project and community help for recycling. Wecycle can handle different types of plastic waste.

First, they use a shredder to break down the plastic into small flakes. These flakes are then heated and molded into new products like colorful tiles. This method reduces the carbon footprint of collecting and recycling plastic, making their operations more sustainable.

4. Automated Recycling

AI-powered solutions are changing plastic recycling by automating processing and improving waste separation. This helps recyclers manage worker shortages and work more efficiently. Some startups now offer fully automated chemical recycling plants, which reduce manual labor, lower exposure to high heat, and make workplaces safer.

Other startups have developed automated plastic processing machines for businesses. These machines promote eco-friendly practices and help governments and companies boost their brand value by encouraging climate-conscious behavior.

Recycleye streamlines Automated Waste Sorting

Recycleye, a UK startup, has developed an automated waste sorting system that’s revolutionizing recycling. Using machine learning, computer vision, and robotics, their technology analyzes and sorts waste automatically. This makes recycling lines more transparent, improves sorting efficiency, and reduces operational costs for plastic recyclers.

Greyparrot enables Automated Waste Analysis

Greyparrot, a UK startup, is making waste sorting smarter with its automated system. Their technology uses computer vision to recognize and classify waste on conveyor belts in real-time, providing an accurate view of the waste being processed.

Their system also features an API that connects with other tools, like picking robots. This helps recycling centers improve efficiency and automate their operations.

5. Recyclates

A lot of plastic waste ends up in landfills or incinerators because it’s not made to be recycled easily. That’s why startups are creating new materials that are simpler to recycle. They’re working on single-material plastics that are easier to process and low-carbon alternatives that are better for the environment. These innovations help produce higher-quality recycled plastic.

Since consumer plastic waste is a major part of the global problem, collectors are focusing on making high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics. This not only increases the value of recycled materials but also helps manufacturers use less fossil fuel in their products.

Ecoplasteam develops an Infinitely Recyclable Plastic

Ecoplasteam, an Italian startup, has created EcoAllen, a type of plastic that can be recycled endlessly. They make EcoAllen by combining layers of recycled plastic and aluminum, so its price isn’t tied to the ups and downs of the oil market like regular plastics. Their production process also reduces recycling costs, making EcoAllen great for use in packaging, cosmetics, and construction.

cirplus maintains a Recycled Plastic Marketplace

German startup Cirplus has created an online marketplace for recycled plastic. Their platform lets plastic recyclers sell recycled materials and waste feedstock. It also includes detailed information about the quality of the materials, like color and recycling method, so buyers can easily find what they need. This helps recyclers reach more customers and boost their revenue.

6. Advanced Gasification

Unlike pyrolysis, gasification systems treat plastic waste with very little oxygen. This method can handle mixed waste streams that can’t be recycled by other means. The process produces syngas, which can be used for generating electricity, making chemicals, and producing hydrogen.

Gasification plants also use less water and need fewer pollution controls than traditional coal plants. Startups in plastic recycling are improving reactor systems to boost efficiency and cut costs, making this technology more accessible. This helps keep more plastics out of landfills and incinerators.

Resynergi builds Modular Gasification Systems

Resynergi, a US-based scaleup, creates modular gasification systems. They work with the University of Minnesota to use microwave-based technology in their systems. These gasification units are small and modular, making them easy to deploy and scale up on-site. This approach helps plastic recyclers and waste management facilities save on large capital expenses and reduce the need for refined oil products.

Clean Energy Enterprises makes Gasification Chambers

Clean Energy Enterprises, a US-based startup, focuses on turning waste into energy. They’ve teamed up with Japan Blue Energy Corporation to create Ways2H, which offers gasification chambers for local waste management.

Their innovative system converts organic waste and plastic into hydrogen, which can then be used to power various applications. The chambers are designed to self-balance, preventing overheating and boosting efficiency for recycling centers.

7. Plastic Traceability

About 91 percent of plastic products are lost because we can’t track their lifecycle. To fix this, startups are creating traceability solutions to help recyclers monitor plastic flow. Also, machines that collect plastic directly from consumers at places like malls are becoming popular. Some startups use blockchain-based rewards to encourage people to recycle more, creating more opportunities to recycle.

Additionally, recycling facilities are teaming up with reverse logistics services to improve waste collection and ensure a steady supply of materials. These innovations help recyclers turn wasted plastics into valuable products. This reduces the need for new materials, saving resources.

Also Read: How to Sort Your Waste Correctly in 2024

Recycllux simplifies Marine Plastic Tracking

Recycllux, a startup from Belgium, helps track plastic waste in the ocean. They use satellite data and machine learning to find spots with lots of marine litter. They also use blockchain to reward collectors and boost recycling efforts. This way, authorities and recycling centers can trace marine plastics and provide extra income for those collecting and recycling the waste.

Circulor facilitates Recycling Process Traceability

Circulor, a UK startup, has created a tool to trace the recycling process. They use blockchain to track where raw materials come from and how they move through production and recycling. This gives a clear view of each item’s journey, making it easier to handle products at the end of their life. With this detailed tracking, recyclers can ensure high-quality materials and keep more plastics out of landfills and incinerators.

8. Solvent-based Purification

Dyes and additives in plastic waste can make recycling tough, limiting how much material can be recovered in mechanical recycling facilities. However, selective solvent dissolution, or solvolysis, removes these impurities from both industrial and consumer plastic waste, resulting in very high-quality plastic. Recycling plants use this technology to recover top-notch plastic polymers, which can then replace new, virgin plastics in manufacturing.

This technology not only makes recycling more efficient but also helps keep valuable materials out of landfills. Startups are working on reducing the operating costs of this technology and making it easily scalable.

OBBOTEC advances Plastic Dissolution

OBBOTEC is a Dutch startup that uses its special SPEX technology to recycle plastic. This method uses solvents to selectively extract PE and PP plastics from waste, removing additives and contaminants like color, plasticizers, and flame retardants.

The clean plastic produced can be used in high-quality applications, such as food packaging. OBBOTEC’s technology is very efficient, helping recyclers and processors generate high-value products from their plastic waste.

ReSolved Technologies provides Solvent-based Plastic Recycling

ReSolved Technologies is a Dutch startup with a smart way to recycle plastic using a mix of solvents. Their process creates almost new-quality plastics from things like e-waste and car scraps. This helps plastic recyclers clean out contaminants and support closed-loop recycling, turning waste back into high-quality products.

Discover all Plastic Recycling Trends, Technologies & Startups

Advances in plastic recycling are boosting both the amount and quality of recycled plastics. Startups are making these innovations more affordable and scalable to tackle the growing plastic waste problem. Innovations include reducing plastic in landfills and oceans, creating recyclable, low-carbon plastic alternatives, and developing smart polymers. All these efforts aim to cut down on the use of new virgin plastic and support a circular economy.

The trends and startups mentioned in this report are just a glimpse of what we discovered through our data-driven research. Technologies like robotics, AI, and advanced analytics are set to revolutionize the sector. Finding and using new opportunities and technologies can give your business a competitive edge. Reach out to us to explore startups, technologies, and trends that matter to you!