Based on the preview of technology trends at IFAT Munich 2026, Vary Tech summarizes three core trends in chemical recycling of waste plastic in 2026 to support precise layout in the changing environmental market.
For a long time in the past, batch pyrolysis equipment has occupied a place in small-scale projects due to low investment thresholds.However, at IFAT Munich 2026, continuous pyrolysis will become the absolute industry standard.
High labor costs and extremely strict safety regulations in Europe, including explosion-proof standards, reduce the application space of batch pyrolysis equipment with frequent startup and shutdown.
Leading pyrolysis equipment suppliers and system service providers achieve technological breakthroughs in feeding, discharging, industrial continuous pyrolysis and full-process automatic waste management.Leading enterprises develop precise intelligent automatic control systems to support uninterrupted operation of waste pyrolysis for dozens or even hundreds of days.
Vary Tech’s 6th-gen continuous pyrolysis line solves the industry’s biggest pain points: intermittent operation and coking risks. With patented sealed feeding/discharging and anti-coking tech, it delivers true 24/7 stability—achieving over 8,000 operating hours per year for maximum ROI.
In 2026, the market will no longer be satisfied with the simple conversion of waste plastic into pyrolysis oil.Under the closed-loop vision of Plastic-to-Plastic, pyrolysis oil is becoming a strategic resource competed by petrochemical giants including BASF and Shell.
Firstly, mixed waste plastic inevitably contains PVC or flame retardants.Pyrolysis oil with excessive chlorine content above 10ppm cannot enter cracking units.Therefore, integrated dechlorination technology and high-efficiency catalytic tower design become key areas for technological competition.
Secondly, pyrolysis product components closer to petrochemical feedstock standards with higher ratios greatly improve the premium capacity of pyrolysis oil products.
At present, the global chemical recycling of waste plastic is under rapid development.China has established the core working group for chemical recycling of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation.Enterprises including BASF, SABIC, LyondellBasell, ExxonMobil, Dow, SK Geocentric, LG Chem, Shell, Eastman, Sinopec, CNPC and Vary Tech jointly promote the development of the global chemical recycling industry of waste plastic.
In Europe, environmental protection is not only a goal but also a market access certificate.With the advancement of global carbon neutrality, buyers of waste plastic pyrolysis equipment gradually shift focus from simple oil yield to carbon footprint and energy efficiency.
Top pyrolysis technology solutions realize the reuse of non-condensable gas generated in the pyrolysis process to support the pyrolysis heating system.This self-sufficient design reduces energy consumption and directly cuts carbon emissions.
In response to strict European air emission standards including EU-BREF, advanced post-treatment systems including desulfurization, denitrification, bag dust removal and activated carbon adsorption become standard configurations.These systems ensure smooth approval of projects through local environmental impact assessments.
Vary Tech adopts hot air reuse technology, heat carrier circulation technology and gas purification and pressure stabilization technology.These technologies achieve high-efficiency heat transfer, low flue gas purification investment and low operation costs.
Vary Tech adopts multi-stage combined processes including cooling, denitrification, dust removal and deacidification to purify pollutants.Vary Tech applies three key dioxin prevention and control technologies to meet strict environmental requirements.Fuel for waste plastic pyrolysis heating adopts pyrolysis gas after multi-stage purification with outstanding emission reduction effects.
Chemical recycling of waste plastic is at a critical stage of transformation from laboratory research to industrialization, standardization and low-carbon development.These trends will be intuitively verified at the upcoming IFAT Munich 2026.
Ready to turn plastic waste into profit? Visit Vary Tech at Booth 113, Hall B4. Let’s discuss how our field-proven continuous pyrolysis technology can help you meet EU standards and achieve your carbon reduction goals.
