The process leverages a synthetic oil, branded as Tacoil, developed by the London-based recycling think-tank to convert waste packing into new virgin-quality polymer. End-target of the joint effort is a commercial-scale recycling facility in Europe, tentatively scheduled to start up in late 2023. The companies have not yet made a final decision on a location; however, if the conditions are right, they hint that the UK could be favored.

In the trial run, due to begin during the ongoing first quarter, Tacoil, which is derived from post-consumer plastics, will be fed into the refinery’s operating system to replace crude oil. Petroineos ultimately will supply the output to Ineos, which plans to use it as feedstock to make a certified plastic resin with properties identical to those made from fossil-fuel resources. 

Peter Grant, business director at Ineos Olefins & Polymers (UK) Europe, said advanced recycling adds to the existing initiatives within the chemicals and plastics producer’s portfolio to make greater use of post-consumer material and ensure that sustainable solutions meet all safety, quality and performance in-use standards.

Plastic Energy currently operates two recycling plants in Spain that use its process. The young company is also collaborating with other plastics industry players. In Europe, its partner is SABIC’s Netherlands-based arm. Last autumn, it sealed a US partnership with Freepoint Eco-Systems and TotalEnergies. Similar to the other projects, this foresees conversion of plastics waste into virgin-quality polymer that can be used to produce food-grade packaging.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist