Vioneo to unveil scalable fossil-free PE, PP materials

GERMANY – Vioneo, a European developer of sustainable plastics, plans to introduce its fossil-free polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) materials.

According to company details, the Antwerp facility uses green methanol-to-olefins (MTO) processes to create these virgin plastics without fossil feedstocks. 

Each kilogram produced avoids up to 6kg of CO2 emissions compared to traditional methods. The plant runs on renewable electricity and ensures full traceability through ISCC PLUS certification.

A report by Systemiq indicates that recycling and reuse efforts will cover just 50% of global plastics needs by 2050, even in optimistic cases.

Vioneo points to MTO pathways as a key option to fill the gap, with its Antwerp site set for commercial output in 2028 at 300,000 tonnes annually.

Katja Wodjereck, Vioneo’s chief commercial officer, stated that converters and brand owners will see no changes in processing or performance when switching to these materials. 

She added in a recent interview that the integration fits current operations without interruptions.

In a related development, Vioneo awarded a contract last week to ECI Group for the site’s low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit, which will yield 110,000 tonnes per year using proprietary autoclave technology. 

This marks Europe’s first new LDPE plant in four decades. ECI Group’s president and CEO, Joaquin Flores, noted the project advances green production while maintaining material quality for demanding sectors.

Vioneo CEO Alex Hogan described the partnership as essential for the facility’s rollout. The overall  US$1.8 billion covers three integrated plants: one for green methanol, another for olefins conversion, and the polymerization units.

These steps come amid rising demand for low-carbon alternatives in Europe, where plastics emissions could reach 180 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually by 2050 without shifts.

Vioneo’s approach delivers segregated fossil-free supply, distinct from mass-balanced recycled options, to support verifiable reductions.

Visitors at K 2025 can explore how these PE and PP grades suit flexible films, rigid containers, and medical devices. 

The debut highlights practical advances in defossilizing supply chains, with production timelines tied to regulatory support and energy pricing.

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