Additives for Mechanical Plastics Recycling—Need for Action by the Legislator

In recent years, a market for chemical additives to improve the quality of plastic recyclates has been established. High growth opportunities are expected for these additives. The products are very diverse and can be used, for example, for the post-stabilization of recyclates or to reduce unpleasant odors. There are also products on the market that can repair damaged polymers. And additives are available that improve the miscibility of inhomogeneous sorting fractions. On behalf of a plastics recycler, the authors have attempted to find out the chemical identity and frame formulation of these plastic additives. However, this information is mostly not disclosed. Even in the available safety data sheets, the composition of these products was regularly not included. Only in individual cases, individual substances which are subject to declaration (REACH/CLP) have been specified. However, it is known from discussions and the literature that highly reactive substances are sometimes used for these products, which are to be added directly to the hot melt in the extruder. Now that the SME recycling industry is already confronted with plastic waste containing banned additives from the past (risk cycle, legacy chemicals), a new problem is emerging for the future: are these additives sufficiently safe? The authors advise caution here and therefore at least against the use of recycling additives whose chemical identity and frame formulation are not disclosed. This can lead to the 'recycling privilege' under REACH no longer applying to plastic recyclates, with serious consequences for recyclers. Scientific studies should also be carried out to determine whether these recycled additives pose any risks to consumers.