Chemical recycling has gained increased attention as a promising recovery technology, especially for post-consumer plastic waste. It is seen as a complementary solution to mechanical recycling, being better suited for difficult to recycle plastics like multi-layer solutions or heavily contaminated plastics. Yet, its availability at commercial scale is currently still limited, and a legislative framework at European level still needs to be established. 

The term chemical recycling, also known as feedstock or tertiary recycling, comprises different varying technologies that convert plastic waste into an upstream feedstock resulting in secondary raw materials that have the same quality as virgin materials. This recovery technologies provide an opportunity for plastic waste streams that generally are not mechanically (or otherwise) recycled. In this way, waste is directed away from landfill or energy recovery towards higher quality recycling. However, chemical recycling is still facing economic and technical challenges, which have an effect on their potential for commercial development in Europe.