New gasification process transforms used hygiene products into high-quality chemical feedstocks, opening the door to true circularity.
Vienna, Austria, 12 December 2025 – A major leap toward circular manufacturing has emerged as BASF, global leader in superabsorbent polymers, and Essity, a prominent producer of hygiene and health products, announced a groundbreaking recycling success achieved in collaboration with the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien). The joint pilot project has demonstrated, for the first time at scale, that used diapers and other absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) can be efficiently converted into valuable raw materials for the chemical industry.
Turning Diaper Waste Into New Resources
Using TU Wien and BASF’s advanced gasification technology, the partners proved that AHP waste can be processed without complicated pre-treatment. In the gasification process, waste materials are heated to over 600°C, converting them into a sanitized gas mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. These gases serve as high-quality feedstocks suitable for manufacturing new chemical products, effectively keeping carbon circulating within the production loop.
Unlike traditional recycling methods, which often struggle with contamination and mixed materials, this approach allows used diapers, a major global waste stream, to be transformed into resources that meet the same standards as virgin materials.
A Scalable Pathway to Circularity
This innovation could dramatically reshape how municipalities handle diaper waste, one of the most difficult waste types to process. With millions of tons of used AHPs generated each year globally, the new technology offers:
- A scalable waste-to-resource solution
- Reduced reliance on landfill and incineration
- New pathways for circular production in hygiene and chemical sectors
- Support for companies pursuing ambitious sustainability targets
BASF’s integrated production network is uniquely positioned to incorporate these recycled feedstocks, enabling sustainable, high-performance product offerings.
Leadership Perspective
“Our customers can rely on BASF as their trusted partner for innovative recycling solutions. We demonstrated the potential of recycling post-consumer absorbent hygiene products,” said Oliver Cullmann, Vice President Global Marketing & Strategy C3 Value Chain. “BASF is committed to turning challenges into opportunities and leading the way towards a more sustainable future together with our customers.”
