French energy giant TotalEnergies has signed an agreement with waste management and advanced recycling specialist Indaver covering offtake of petrochemical feedstock generated from the Belgian company’s advanced recycling of mixed polyolefins waste.

Under the plans, Total will purchase the petrochemical feedstock produced at Indaver’s first Plastics2Chemicals plant (P2C). At this facility, due to go on stream in 2024 as the first of its kind in Europe, the waste company will transform the spent polyolefins into feedstock using its proprietary depolymerization technology.

Ultimately, the energy group will use the recyclate to produce “circular” polyolefins at its plants in Antwerp, Belgium. With properties and quality identical to virgin polymers, the recycled polymers will be suitable for a wide range of high demanding applications including food-grade packaging, Total said.

 “Collaboration throughout the value chain is critical to develop a more circular and sustainable economy,” said Valérie Goff, senior vice president Renewable Fuels & Chemicals at Total. The new offtake agreement, she added, will support the development of advanced plastic recycling and contribute to the company’s ambition of producing 30% circular polymers by 2030.

Indaver CEO Paul De Bruycker said the Belgian company’s new P2C plant will  significantly expand the possibilities for recycling of end-of-life plastics waste that could previously not be recycled or only be used for conversion into low-value applications.

In June this year, Ineos Styrolution signed an offtake agreement with Indaver for offtake of styrene monomer made from post-consumer polystyrene waste. Indaver’s new technology is also expected to significantly expand recycling possibilities for polystyrene waste that is currently destined for conversion into low-value applications.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist