Strengthening Raw Material Sovereignty
Hydrogen-Based Chemical Recycling in the German Circular Economy Act
Copyright: PtX Lab Lausitz
PtX Lab Position I 8/2026 I Topic: Sustainable Chemistry I 6 Pages
The PtX Lab Position Strengthening Raw Material Sovereignty – Hydrogen-Based Chemical Recycling in the German Circular Economy Act analyses the amendment of the German Circular Economy Act by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) and develops recommendations on how hydrogen-based chemical recycling can be better reflected in the regulatory framework.
The amendment aims to strengthen raw material sovereignty and raw material supply security as key objectives of the circular economy. The position paper demonstrates how green hydrogen can increase carbon recovery and unlock greater use of plastic waste as a domestic source of raw materials. Higher carbon recovery can reduce dependence on fossil primary raw materials and strengthen the raw material base of the chemical industry.
The publication puts forward concrete proposals for further developing Germany's circular economy legislation. These include strengthening the role of carbon recovery in the waste hierarchy, further developing the principle of high-quality recovery, and providing greater legal certainty regarding the definition of chemical recycling.
Bibliographic data
- Publication: Strengthening Raw Material Sovereignty – Hydrogen-Based Chemical Recycling in the German Circular Economy Act
- Publication date: 5 August 2026
- Publisher: PtX Lab Lausitz – Think and Do Tank for Fuels and Basic Materials from Green Hydrogen, Calauer Straße 70, 03048 Cottbus
- Suggested citation: PtX Lab Lausitz (2026): Strengthening Raw Material Sovereignty – Hydrogen-Based Chemical Recycling in the German Circular Economy Act
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