LyondellBasell to build recycling facility in Germany, expanding its operation

GERMANY- Netherlands-based chemical company LyondellBasell has decided to proceed with engineering to develop a commercial-scale advanced recycling plant at its site in Wesseling, Germany.

The recycling plant will transform pre-treated plastic waste into feedstock for new plastic production by using the firm’s proprietary MoReTec technology.

LyondellBasell expects to make a final investment decision by the end of 2023 and aims the production by 2025-end.

According to the firm, the plastic waste feedstock to the plant will be provided by a previously announced German joint venture, Source One Plastics.

The plant that Source One Plastics plans to construct will be used to recycle the amount of plastic packaging waste generated by about 1.3 million German citizens annually.

The chemical firm said that the waste includes materials such as multi-layered food packaging items or mixed plastic containers that are typically not recycled today.

Upon completion, the plant will have a capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year. The feedstock produced will be converted into new CirculenRevive polymers for use in applications such as food packaging and healthcare products.

LyondellBasell Circular and Low Carbon Solutions executive vice president Yvonne van der Laan said: “We are actively working to move the circular economy forward. Progressing our MoReTec technology represents another step LyondellBasell is making to accelerate the development and implementation of scalable sustainable and circular technology.

“This high yield, differential technology will allow us to convert plastic waste into pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas for use in our crackers as feedstock leading to the production of new plastic materials.

“Solid process residues can be re-used or consumed in other applications, making this technology an energy efficient, zero waste process for the recycling of plastic waste”.

MoReTec technology can recycle the majority of plastic products, including mixed plastic containers and multi-layered food packaging, the company said.

The reactor unit decomposes polyolefin-based plastic waste for high-quality feedstock usable for the production of new plastic materials at the LyondellBasell polymer plants.

Last month, the company partnered with 23 Oaks to create a joint venture to build an energy-efficient, advanced plastic waste sorting and recycling facility in Germany.

According to the companies, using renewable energy from wind and biomass, the new facility can process the amount of plastic packaging material generated by about 1.3 million German citizens annually.

For all the latest packaging and printing industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Further Reading:

AQua Vera expands partnership with Sidel for complete PET packaging line overhaul New Packs: Diageo’s Serengeti unveils new packaging, Absolut showcases new bottle Smurfit Westrock introduces EasySplit Bag-in-Box to boost recycling rates  Packaging trends: The shift from glass to carton in wine packaging