(46g) Material, and Circular Economy Challenges in Advancing Automotive Plastics Recycling through Molecular Recycling Technologies

The pressing global plastic waste crisis necessitates a transformative shift towards sustainable materials utilization. In this regard, Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (VWGoA) and Eastman Chemical Company are taking the lead in designing and driving circular economy solutions for automotive plastics by employing innovative molecular recycling technologies. This approach facilitates the conversion of traditionally hard-to-recycle plastic waste streams into their molecular components for the production of virgin-grade raw materials. These feedstocks are then used to produce specialty plastics and fibers with quality and performance equivalent to their virgin-grade counterparts. Our work targets a wide range of plastic waste streams including mixed plastics, colored plastic materials, post-consumer and industrial car components, and textiles, with the ultimate goal of confronting recycling challenges while providing environmental sustainability. We have shown that by using this molecular-level chemical recycling process, we can not only offer a high-quality alternative to virgin fossil-based plastics, but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25-50% compared to conventional petroleum-derived automotive plastics. Our team has demonstrated the automotive viability of these sustainable materials by creating multiple demonstration parts on production equipment: an Atlas Cross Sport Spoiler Assembly and Passat R-Line Diffuser. These parts have successfully met all essential mechanical and thermal criteria, including scratch and chemical resistance, adhesion, tensile and flexural modulus as well as Vicat softening and glass temperature tests. This exemplifies the efficacy of the molecular-level chemical recycling process in recycling mixed plastics for automotive application. These components serve as examples of our commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles, paving the way for a cleaner and more resource-efficient automotive industry.