The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation 2025/40 (PPWR) will begin rolling out from August 2026, introducing stricter requirements for packaging recyclability, recycled content, transparency, and producer responsibility across the EU. Chemical recycling is expected to play an important role in helping companies comply with these rules by enabling difficult-to-recycle materials, such as multilayer packaging and mixed plastic waste, to be processed into valuable recycled feedstocks. The regulation also establishes ambitious recycled-content targets through 2040, strengthening the case for mass balance accounting approaches that support chemically recycled materials. IDTechEx believes these regulatory changes are likely to be a major driver for the growth and adoption of chemical recycling technologies in the coming decade.

Substituting fossil fuel-based products with bio-alternatives is increasingly feasible as the development of new renewable feedstocks supports the commercial production of bio-based products including plastics, fuels and chemicals.

The production capacity for low-carbon ammonia will grow to 56.5 million tonnes in 2036.

As part of the device miniaturization trend happening worldwide, consumer electronics are becoming increasingly streamlined, with conductive inks, flexible batteries, and other technologies making this possible.

Electric vehicles are continuing to play a vital role in decarbonizing the transport industry as they help with the shift away from fossil fuel reliance with their utilization of battery technologies. This article covers micro EVs, materials, and thermal management.

Cobalt-chromium (CoCr) has long been the gold standard for articulating surfaces in hip and knee implants, but concerns over metal ion release are driving a wave of alternative materials. This article explores how ceramics, ceramic coatings, ceramicized metals, and PEEK are positioning to challenge CoCr's dominance.