While plastics are integral to modern life, plastic waste poses significant challenges to ecosystems and human health. However, in the past three decades there has been a surge in inventions to recover and recycle plastic waste, advancing a more circular economy. The recent trends revealed in the EPO’s latest technology insight report directly relate to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 12 (Sustainable consumption and production), as well as SDGs 6 (Clean water and sanitation), 14 (Life below water) and 15 (Life on land).
Technology trends in plastic waste recovery and recycling
The technology insight report explores five decades of technology trends in plastic waste management based on 12 924 unique inventions in waste recovery (separation and purification) and waste recycling (conversion into new materials). The report also offers insights into the patenting behaviour of large applicants in the field, as well as of emerging startups and the research sector.
Steep increase in patenting activity
Innovation in plastic waste management has outpaced other technology fields, with patenting activity increasing 18-fold during the period from 1990 to 2023. The growth in applications intensified after 2015 and rapidly accelerated in the 2020s.