LyondellBasell successfully pilots molecular recycling facility
LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, has announced the successful start-up of its MoReTec molecular recycling facility in Ferrara, Italy.
LyondellBasell's proprietary MoReTec advanced recycling technology aims to return post-consumer plastic waste to its molecular form for use as a feedstock for new plastic materials.
Jim Seward, LyondellBasell Senior Vice President of Research and Development, Technology and Sustainability, said: "Ending plastic waste in the environment and advancing the circular economy are key sustainability focus areas for our company. With our advanced plastics recycling technology, we return larger volumes of plastic waste back into the value chain and produce new materials for high-quality applications, retaining their value for as long as possible."
The new plastic materials created by LyondellBasell's MoReTec technology can be used in food packaging and healthcare items, which must meet strict regulatory requirements.
LyondellBasell conducts base research to lead the polymers industry toward advanced plastics recycling. In July 2018, LyondellBasell announced a collaborative effort with Germany's Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) to advance its molecular recycling efforts. This collaboration proved the efficiency of the MoReTec technology at laboratory scale. Today, the company's research and development teams in Germany, Italy and the US are actively working to explore potential commercial-scale applications.
The pilot plant is capable of processing between five and 10kg of household plastic waste per hour. The pilot aims to understand the interaction of various waste types in the molecular recycling process, test the various catalysts, and confirm the process temperature and time needed to decompose the plastic waste into molecules.
The goal is to have this completed over the next couple of years and then plan for an industrial scale unit.
The development of MoReTec technology is part of LyondellBasell's commitment to plastics-to-plastics conversion. The technology development complements the company's other circular solutions, which help reduce plastic waste and advance the circular economy.