A study on the gasification of plastic residues from end-of-life vehicles together with biomass resulted in lower emissions and high-quality raw materials.

According to BASF, a study by researchers at ETH Zurich showed that the joint gasification of plastic waste from cars and biomass produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions than incinerating the waste with energy recovery – namely, over three kilograms less carbon dioxide equivalents per kilogram of material processed. The new method produces synthesis gas that could replace fossil raw materials in the chemical industry. The study follows on from a pilot project carried out by BASF and the Austrian research group Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH (BEST) in mid-2025. In a pilot plant operated by BEST, biomass together with plastic waste from automobile shredders was processed into pyrolysisoil.
 
BASF points out that effective recycling requires a clear legal framework that recognizes mixed waste as recyclable. Experts are calling for ambitious political goals, cross-sector cooperation, and flexible multi-purpose facilities. While biowaste recycling is supported politically, this support has so far been lacking for mixed plastic waste.
 
According to the information provided from research, over one million tons of plastic waste from end-of-life vehicles  are incinerated or landfilled in Europe every year. The process described enables these materials to be recycled efficiently and with low emissions, says BASF. The raw materials obtained in this way are said to meet high quality standards, according to the information provided, so that the products made from them were even suitable for safety-relevant components in automotive engineering.
 
Further information and study results at: www.plastics.basf.de/gasification
 
Sources:

• BASF press release (30.10.2025)
• Photo: © BASF