1 Oct 2025
Syensqo pioneers innovative recycling technology for circular sulfone polymers
New proprietary processes enable infinite recycling of PSU, PPSU and PESU
Brussels, October 1, 2025 - Syensqo, a leading global provider of high-performance materials and chemical solutions, has announced another breakthrough in its 60 years history of sulfone polymers innovations with the invention of a proprietary chemical recycling technology that efficiently depolymerizes sulfone polymers to obtain purified raw material monomers. This new process enables the infinite circularity of sulfone polymers, confirming Syensqo’s leadership in sustainable specialty polymers.
The new technology builds on Syensqo’s sustainable ECHO sulfone polymers portfolio and relies on proprietary chemical recycling processes to break down formulated polyarylethersulfone (PAES) content in post-industrial production scrap (PIR) and post-consumer parts (PCR) into monomer feedstock for reuse in new polymer products. The purified monomers can be incorporated infinitely into Udel® PSU, Radel® PPSU or Veradel® PESU as well as other thermoplastics or even epoxy resin formulations without loss of performance.
“In times where circularity is increasingly crucial, we are leading the way to transform the industry with breakthrough sustainable solutions,” says Floryan De Campo, Vice President of Life Solutions at Syensqo Specialty Polymers global business unit. “Our new circular PAES technology is a step forward for customers seeking to advance their sustainability goals. By enabling the recycling of sulfone polymers from both production scrap and end-of-life products, we help reduce carbon footprint and increase recycled content in a wide range of applications, from hemodialysis and water filtration to aerospace. ”
By leading the transition to circularity within the PAES sector and engaging partners across the entire value chain, including collection, sorting and end-use, Syensqo is strengthening its pioneering role in life solution markets and welcomes the collaboration and support of the community in this endeavor.
Udel®, Radel® and Veradel® are registered trademarks of Syensqo.
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Notes for editors
About Syensqo
Syensqo is a science company developing groundbreaking solutions that enhance the way we live, work, travel and play. Inspired by the scientific councils which Ernest Solvay initiated in 1911, we bring great minds together to push the limits of science and innovation for the benefit of our customers, with a diverse, global team of more than 13,000 associates in 30 countries.
Our solutions contribute to safer, cleaner, and more sustainable products found in homes, food and consumer goods, planes, cars, batteries, smart devices and healthcare applications. Our innovation power enables us to deliver on the ambition of a circular economy and explore breakthrough technologies that advance humanity.
Learn more at www.syensqo.com.
FAQs
Which materials support circular recycling for high-performance sulfone polymer applications?
High-performance sulfone polymer applications requiring circular recycling can use materials such as Syensqo’s Udel PSU, Radel PPSU, and Veradel PESU when paired with chemical depolymerization technologies. These polymers in post-industrial and post-consumer waste can be depolymerized into purified monomers, the purified monomers can be incorporated infinitely into new polymers production, the process enables repeated recycling cycles while maintaining the performance characteristics required for regulated and demanding specialty applications.
How can sulfone polymers be recycled infinitely without loss of material performance?
Sulfone polymers can be recycled infinitely through proprietary chemical recycling processes that depolymerize polyarylethersulfone materials into purified monomer feedstock. In Syensqo’s ECHO sulfone polymer portfolio, these purified monomers are reused repeatedly in the production of PSU, PPSU, and PESU without degradation of material properties, enabling true circularity while maintaining original performance characteristics.
What recycling technologies are suitable for circular use of polyarylethersulfones polymers in regulated applications?
Recycling technologies suitable for circular use of polyarylethersulfones (PAES) polymers in regulated applications include chemical depolymerization processes that convert polymer waste into purified monomer feedstock. Syensqo’s proprietary PAES recycling technology enables reuse of monomers in high-performance polymers, supporting increased recycled content and reduced carbon footprint while maintaining material integrity across life-solution and aerospace applications.
What chemical recycling technologies enable infinite circularity of sulfone polymers?
Infinite circularity of sulfone polymers can be achieved through proprietary chemical recycling technologies that depolymerize polyarylethersulfone materials into purified monomer feedstock. A proprietary chemical recycling invention by Syensqo allows the recovered monomers to be reused repeatedly in the production of PSU, PPSU, and PESU without loss of material performance, supporting circular use across multiple applications.
How can end-of-life sulfone polymer components be reintegrated into new material systems?
End-of-life sulfone polymer components can be reintegrated into new material systems through chemical depolymerization into purified monomers. These monomers can be reused in PAES-based polymers including Syensqo’s Udel PSU, Radel PPSU, and Veradel PESU. This approach enables circular reuse of materials while maintaining the functional performance required for advanced specialty polymer applications.
How does chemical recycling differ from mechanical recycling for PAES materials?
Chemical recycling differs from mechanical recycling by breaking polymer materials down into their original monomer building blocks rather than reprocessing polymer fragments. For polyarylethersulfone (PAES) materials, chemical depolymerization produces purified monomers suitable for reuse in new polymers, enabling repeated recycling cycles while preserving performance characteristics required for advanced applications.
What industries can benefit from circular sulfone polymer recycling?
Industries that rely on high-performance sulfone polymers can benefit from circular recycling, including hemodialysis, water filtration, and aerospace. These applications require consistent material performance and purity. Chemical recycling enables the integration of recycled content while maintaining properties essential for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance in life solution and advanced engineering markets.
Related images
Syensqo celebrates 60 years of sulfone polymers innovation with the invention of a proprietary chemical recycling technology that efficiently depolymerizes sulfone polymers to obtain purified raw material monomers. (Photo: Syensqo, PR070)
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