Envalior and SECARA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop circular polyamide 6 (PA6) for automotive applications, using SECARA’s catalytic depolymerisation technology to convert end-of-life vehicle plastics into drop-in caprolactam for Envalior’s PA6 production process. The Envalior SECARA collaboration, under way for a year, targets compliance with the European End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR).

SECARA’s depolymerisation process handles mixed ELV waste streams containing glass fibres and flame retardants, recovering drop-in caprolactam without changes to existing manufacturing infrastructure. The ELVR mandates that at least 15% of new vehicle plastics must come from recycled sources six years after entry into force, rising to 25% after ten years, with 20% from closed-loop sources.

(Image credit: Envalior)

Christophe Cazabeau, EVP Performance Materials at Envalior, said the collaboration would ensure Envalior was ready to support customers as ELV requirements came into force. Artur Völk, Circular and Low-Carbon Solutions Lead at Envalior, said mechanical recycling alone was insufficient for demanding automotive applications and SECARA’s chemical recycling offered a promising route to balancing performance and compliance.

Fabian Nagel, CEO at SECARA, said the process could deliver a cost-competitive platform for closed-loop polymer requirements. The collaboration will be presented at Fakuma 2026 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, at the Envalior stand in Hall B4, stand 4302.

Source: Envalior