Ineos Styrolution secures first shipment of recycled styrene for Antwerp plant

BELGIUM –  Ineos Styrolution marked a milestone in plastics recycling with the arrival of its inaugural batch of recycled styrene monomer at the company’s facility here.

The material came from Indaver’s nearby depolymerization plant, setting the stage for production of polystyrene suitable for food-grade and medical uses.

This delivery introduces a key element in building a localized circular supply chain. Indaver’s plant stands as Europe’s first facility dedicated solely to polystyrene depolymerization, which breaks down the polymer back into its core styrene monomer. 

The process preserves the material’s chemical integrity, yielding high-purity output at lower energy costs compared to alternatives like pyrolysis.

The recycled styrene integrates into Ineos Styrolution’s existing lineup of sustainable products, including mechanically recycled and bio-attributed polystyrene grades. 

Company officials noted that this addition allows for scaled production of eco-friendly styrenics that meet rigorous standards without sacrificing functionality.

Rob Buntinx, president of EMEA at Ineos Styrolution, highlighted the practical gains. 

He stated that the company can now provide depolymerization-derived styrenics at commercial volumes, enabling customers to cut their environmental impact while maintaining product reliability.

From Indaver’s side, the partnership emphasizes efficiency through proximity. 

Erik Moerman, sales and development director for Plastic to 2 Chemicals at Indaver, explained that their proprietary technology converts challenging plastic waste into feedstock equivalent to virgin materials. 

Moerman added that this approach delivers pure styrene for sectors like food packaging, where quality demands are high.

In recent months, Ineos Styrolution has accelerated its sustainability initiatives. The firm commercialized Styrolution PS 158K BC100, a bio-attributed polystyrene designed for food containers, earlier this year. 

In January 2025, it unveiled a mechanically recycled polystyrene variant for yogurt cups, expanding options for consumer goods manufacturers.

A March 2025 study by researchers at Pusan National University in South Korea examined polystyrene nanoparticles in packaging. 

The findings indicated disruptions to red blood cell formation in zebrafish embryos, raising questions about nanoplastics’ effects on aquatic life and potential human exposure pathways.

By reclaiming post-consumer polystyrene, projects like the Antwerp collaboration divert waste from landfills and oceans, fostering a more resilient materials ecosystem. 

Ineos Styrolution plans to ramp up output using the new feedstock, with initial runs targeting European markets valued at over US$500 million annually for sustainable polymers.

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