Evonik and Schneider Electric have launched a collaboration to automate and digitize thermoplastic processing and recycling at Evonik’s Essen Goldschmidt site in Germany. Announced during the world's number one trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, K in Düsseldorf, from October 8-15, 2025, the program targets higher efficiency in mechanical plastic recycling and improved recyclate quality, in line with circular economy principles. Evonik contributes expertise in high-performance additives and a focus on circularity, while Schneider Electric brings process automation and digitalization capabilities. The first implementation step is the digitization of an existing pilot plant at the Goldschmidt site using an open automation approach. The setup will collect and contextualize data from different machines into a central access point to enable performance analysis, reduce or eliminate manual work, and streamline separate calculation steps. The cooperation also extends beyond plastic recycling to the broader processing of plastics with an emphasis on circularity.
"Digitalization is essential for advancing circularity. Our collaboration with Evonik demonstrates how automation can enhance recycling efficiency and quality, showcasing the power of teamwork in building a sustainable future," said Jessica Bethune, VP Industrial Automation DACH at Schneider Electric.
"Our partnership with Schneider Electric highlights how digitalization and chemistry enable circularity in plastics. Combining Schneider Electric’s process automation with our innovative additives takes thermoplastic processing to the next level, aligning it with the principles of a circular economy," said Patrick Glöckner, Head of the recently announced Next Markets Program at Evonik.
Objectives and trade fair presence
The partners’ long-term objectives include:
- leveraging laboratory experiences,
- improving the positioning of existing solutions supported by quantified data,
- decreasing time to market for new additive developments,
- enhancing scalability from pilot plants to commercial units.
For more information, Evonik will be in Hall 6, booth D79, and Schneider Electric in Hall 10, booth H18 at K in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8-15, 2025. Further details about Evonik’s Circular Plastics Program are available at https://www.evonik.com/en/company/circular-economy.html.
Gianluca Merola (Schneider Electric), Hendrik Rasch (Evonik), Delphine Largeteau (Schneider Electric), Alper Aksit (Evonik), Jessica Bethune (Schneider Electric) and Patrick Glöckner (Evonik) at the K 2025.
