Honda R&D has unveiled a groundbreaking “chemical sorting” technology designed to separate solid contaminants from plastic waste derived from end-of-life automobiles. This innovative approach will facilitate the extraction of high-purity reusable plastics, addressing the limitations of traditional recycling methods and representing a significant step forward for the automotive industry’s circular economy.

Source: Inspenet

Plastic Waste Technology

The company aims to construct a pilot plant with a processing capacity of up to 350 tons per year. The objective is to validate this technology by the end of 2026 and implement it around 2029.

Unlike conventional physical sorting, which often involves manual or mechanical separation, this new method dissolves the resin in a solvent to eliminate contaminants such as metal inserts, hoses, rubber gaskets, and glass fibers. This advancement enhances the separation rate to over 99%, allowing for the recovery of plastics that are suitable for closed-loop recycling.

The technology employs coarse-mesh filters and centrifuges to eliminate contaminants of various sizes, establishing a continuous and scalable process that minimizes the need for maintenance and filter replacement. Through these features, Honda has broadened the range of recyclable components, achieved economic viability, and enabled the practical application of this technology on an industrial scale.

Furthermore, this solution aids in reducing CO₂ emissions by facilitating the recycling of fiber-reinforced plastics that were previously incinerated. It also enhances recycling efficiency by preventing resin loss