Under the collaboration, the two firms intend that GMP will build and operate an advanced pretreatment or regeneration plant in the Netherlands with a minimum capacity of 25,000 t/y. The plant, which will purify PS waste and produce high-quality recycled pellets, is expected to start up in 2024.  The companies also intend to set up a long-term tolling and off-take agreement.

“The Trinseo–GMP collaboration is yet another important move toward helping our customers reach their sustainability goals and closing the loop for a circular economy, and both companies realize that the most successful way to do this is through synergy along the value chain,” said Nicolas Joly, Trinseo’s senior vice president, plastics and feedstocks.

The companies added that they will also research other supply and processing opportunities, utilizing their combined technology expertise to develop more sustainable solutions.

In February, Trinseo announced that its plans for a chemical recycling plant in Europe were progressing rapidly. The company contracted technology provider Synova and engineering group Worley late last year and plans are for construction to start by the end of 2022.

The facility will process 15,000 t/y of recycled PS flakes, which will be converted back into recycled styrene and used again to produce PS and/or styrene derivatives such as ABS and SAN.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist