On September 29, 2025, Oslo - Elkem ASA, a global leader in organic silicon, announced that its developed silicone rubber mechanical recycling process has passed concept validation, achieving a re blending rate of over 50% for high consistency rubber (HCR) waste, and the mechanical properties of recycled materials are on par with raw materials. This breakthrough is hailed by the industry as a milestone in the circular economy of the elastomer industry.


Technological breakthrough: solving the problem of recycling thermosetting materials
Traditional silicone rubber, due to its stable cross-linking structure, is difficult to reshape through melting, resulting in over one million tons of waste HCR material generated globally each year, mainly through landfill or incineration treatment. The mechanical recycling technology developed by Eken Company after two years of research and development has successfully integrated waste silicone rubber particles into a new formula through a three-step process of low-temperature crushing, surface modification, and formula optimization. Laboratory data shows that the tensile strength retention rate of recycled materials is 92%, and the loss of elongation at break is less than 8%, which can meet the requirements of harsh application scenarios such as automotive seals and medical catheters.


Business Model: From Technology Output to Closed Loop Ecology
Eken Company has simultaneously launched the "RENOV" open innovation program, collaborating with downstream customers such as automobile manufacturers and electronic packaging companies to establish a waste recycling network. Taking power battery sealant as an example, recycled materials can replace 30% of primary silicone rubber, reducing carbon emissions by 1.2 tons per ton. The company plans to build 5 regional recycling centers in Europe and China by 2026, forming a "production use recycling reproduction" loop.


Dual wheel drive of policy and market
The EU's Action Plan for a Circular Economy requires a 60% recovery rate for silicone rubber from building demolitions by 2028, while China's 15th Five Year Plan explicitly includes recycled silicone rubber as a strategic emerging industry. Eken's mechanical recycling technology is timely and is expected to reduce customer raw material costs by 20% -30%. At present, the company has signed cooperation agreements with BMW Group, Siemens Energy, etc. The first batch of recycled silicone rubber products will be applied to electric vehicle battery pack sealing in 2026.


Industry response: The competitive landscape is changing, and the green premium is highlighted
Market research firm Zhongyan Puhua pointed out that Eken's technological breakthrough will reshape the global organic silicon competition landscape. On the one hand, traditional chemical enterprises are facing pressure to upgrade their technology; On the other hand, recycled materials can be exempted from EU "green tariffs", significantly enhancing their export competitiveness. Domestic enterprises such as Hesheng Silicon Industry and Dongyue Group have initiated similar technology research and development, and are expected to achieve industrialization around 2027.


Conclusion
From Wanhua Chemical's full industry chain breakthrough to Eken Company's circular economy innovation, the organic silicon industry in 2025 is undergoing profound changes in technology, market, and policies. Driven by the dual goals of "dual carbon" and geopolitics, the technological breakthroughs of Chinese enterprises and the green transformation of European enterprises have jointly outlined a new landscape for the global organic silicon industry.