This diagram outlines the life cycle of plastics from fossil fuels to various end-of-life options. It shows that fossil oils are cracked and converted into building blocks that undergo polymerization to produce plastics, which are then molded into final products. After use, plastics can enter various recycling or recovery processes like physical recycling, pyrolysis, gasification or be sent to landfill or incineration.

1. 23/03/2021
Plastics circularity flow diagram
Fossil Oil
Cracking and
conversion to
building blocks
Polymerization
& production
of plastics
materials
Extrusion,
injection and
molding of
final products
Use
Landfill
Reextrusion
Physical
Recycling
Pyrolysis
Gasification
Monomers
Syngas
Syncrude
Incineration