K 2025 Live: Evonik and Schneider Electric kicks off thermoplastic processing project
Aiming to enhance the efficiency of mechanical plastic recycling processes and improve the quality of recyclates, Evonik and Schneider Electric have partnered to automate a thermoplastic processing plant at Evonik’s Essen Goldschmidt site in Germany. This initiative was officially launched during K 2025.
Evonik brings expertise in high-performance additives and a strong focus on circularity, while Schneider Electric contributes cutting-edge solutions in process automation and digitalization.
The first step of the new partnership is the digitization of an existing pilot plant at Evonik’s Goldschmidt site. This facility will be equipped with an open automation approach, enabling the collection and contextualization of data from various machines into a central access point. This data-driven strategy aims to analyze performance, reduce or eliminate manual work, and streamline separate calculation steps.
The long-term objectives of the collaboration include leveraging laboratory experiences, improving the positioning of existing solutions supported by quantified data, decreasing time to market for new additive developments, and enhancing scalability from pilot plants to commercial units.
“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.
“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.
