Covestro launches pilot plant in Leverkusen for high-performance elastomer recycling
What happened
Covestro opened a new pilot plant at its Leverkusen site on September 16, 2026, dedicated to the chemical recycling of high-performance elastomers. This double-digit million-euro project is one of the first installations globally for this material class. The plant can recycle over 90 percent of selected end-of-life Vulkollan material, potentially reducing the carbon footprint by up to two-thirds compared to virgin material.
From chemicalonline.com
Why it matters
The project moves a novel recycling process from laboratory research into industrial pilot operation. Covestro stated that the initiative responds to customer demand for circular solutions. The plant supports Covestro's strategy to make circularity commercially viable and technically robust.
From chemicalonline.com
Who's involved
- CovestroEstablished the pilot plant for chemical recycling of high-performance elastomers.
- LeverkusenThe location where Covestro established the pilot plant.
- EuropeThe region for which the circular solutions are being developed.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- EuropeSpeculative
The project could contribute to the region's transition toward more resilient and circular supply chains.
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The entities involved
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Leverkusen
city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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Covestro
German chemical company
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Europe
terrestrial continent located in north-western Eurasia