UK-based chemical recycler Plastic Energy and Sabic have produced the first batch of pyrolysis oil at their joint plant in Geelen, the Netherlands.

The partners did not disclose how much oil was produced. At nameplate capacity, the plant is expected to recycle 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. The pyrolysis plant is integrated into Sabic’s petrochemical plant on the same site.

The 50-50 joint venture, called SPEAR (Sabic Plastic Energy Advanced Recycling), was first announced in 2018. It was then expected to begin production in 2021 but construction only began in January that year. The project received funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands.

The plant uses Plastic Energy’s technology to convert low quality, mixed, plastic waste into a feedstock which the company calls Tacoil. Sabic has inked feedstock agreements with Attero.

The Saudi chemical manufacturer will use the Tacoil to produce polymers in its Trucircle portolio. It aims to produce 1 million tonnes of circular materials by 2030.

The partners said the plant will help to meet the recycled content targets in the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

“Producing our first Tacoil at SPEAR is a major step forward for the plastic recycling industry,” said Ian Temperton, CEO of Plastic Energy. “It underscores the capabilities of Plastic Energy’s technology, the robustness of our process and the dedication of our excellent team. We value the collaboration with our project partner SABIC and are proud to have achieved this milestone together.”

Plastic Energy already produces Tacoil at its two pyrolysis plants in Spain, operational since 2014 and 2017. The company had also announced plans to build a 100,000 tonnes/year plant in partnership with Ineos, but the project has since been removed from its website.

The Geelen project milestone comes as the EU is closer than ever to recognise chemical recycling technologies for recycled content allocation.

Disclaimer: This blog article references information originally published on Sustainable Plastics. All credit for the primary reporting and statements belongs to the original source. We have curated and presented the content here solely for informational and educational purposes, without claiming ownership of the original reporting.

Source: Sustainable Plastics