The project will examine an efficient pathway to produce PP using difficult-to-recycle mixed plastic waste, based on Agilyx technology. Mixed waste plastics for the project will be sourced through Agilyx’s feedstock management company, Cyclyx International. Agilyx added that the project is targeting circular PP with the necessary properties for demanding customer applications such as food packaging, consumer and hygiene products.

“Our collaboration with Agilyx is just the most recent example of Braskem’s efforts to more holistically address the limited availability of propylene feedstock derived from post-use plastic in the market today,” said Mark Nikolich, CEO of Braskem America. “Looking forward, Braskem intends to explore direct investment options as needed to help accelerate this transition to more circular and sustainable feedstock and production technologies.”

Tim Stedman, CEO of Agilyx, added that the collaboration targets a new product pathway for the recycler, converting mixed waste plastic into the chemical building blocks used to produce PP.

Agilyx is working with several companies, including Ineos Styrolution, Toyo Styrene and AmSty, on chemical recycling technologies for styrene/PS, as well as polymethyl methacrylate with acrylics producer Lucite.

Australian plastics-to-energy project

Earlier this month, Agilyx announced a Memorandum of Understanding with Australian sustainable energy company A.Eon Holdings to evaluate construction of a 50 t/d plastics-to-energy facility. This will be located in Melbourne, Victoria, and use Agilyx’ technology to convert mixed waste plastic to synthetic crude oil. Initial capacity will be 50 t/d with an option for additional commercial-scale facilities to be developed by A.Eon in Australia.

A.Eon plans to use the crude oil to generate electricity for a state hospital redevelopment project and local industry, as well as meeting peak energy demand. Andrew Lawson the company’s managing director, said the project will see up to 20,000 t/y of waste plastic diverted from landfill and converted into more than 60,000 megawatt-hours per year of electricity.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist