Overview
ISO/TR 16218:2013 - Packaging and the environment - Processes for chemical recovery is an ISO Technical Report that describes methodologies and examples for chemical recovery of used packaging. It clarifies the concept of chemical recovery as a form of material recycling and documents processes applicable to plastic and biomass-based packaging. The report is informative (a Technical Report) and complements ISO work on packaging sustainability by describing options such as monomer recovery, oil recovery, gas recovery and direct substitution of natural resources.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Definitions and scope
- Chemical recovery defined as production of chemicals (identical or different from original feedstock) or direct substitution of natural resources using used packaging.
- Focus on plastic packaging (e.g., PET) but applicable to biomass-based materials where feasible.
- Process categories explained
- Monomer recovery (e.g., PET depolymerization via glycolysis, methanolysis to recover BHET, DMT, TPA and ethylene glycol).
- Oil recovery (pyrolysis/catalytic decomposition to produce hydrocarbon oil; pre-treatment like de‑HCl extrusion for chlorine removal).
- Gas recovery (gasification and steam reforming to recover H2, CO for chemical feedstocks).
- Direct substitution (using shredded plastics as a reducing agent in blast furnaces or as raw material in coke production).
- Suitability and feedstock considerations
- Mono‑material vs commingled streams: mono-material supports mechanical recycling but certain streams are suitable for chemical recovery.
- Contamination levels, incompatible materials and pre-treatment needs are highlighted.
- Annex F provides an assessment checklist for suitability.
- Annexed practical examples
- Annexes A–E give worked examples (PET monomer recovery, oil recovery, gas recovery, blast-furnace reduction substitution, coke raw material).
Applications and users
Practical applications include:
- Recovering high-grade PET monomers for resin production
- Producing hydrocarbon oil or synthesis gases as chemical feedstocks or fuels
- Replacing fossil carbon sources in metallurgical processes (blast furnaces, coke manufacture)
Who will use this standard:
- Packaging designers and sustainability teams assessing end‑of‑life options
- Waste management and recycling operators evaluating chemical recovery routes
- Chemical processors and pyrolysis/gasification plant operators
- Steel and coke producers considering alternative reductants
- Policymakers and environmental managers needing consistent terminology and technology guidance
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/TR 16218, chemical recovery, packaging and the environment, PET monomer recovery, oil recovery, gasification, pyrolysis, packaging recycling, material recycling.