Plastic Energy and Ineos unite to take scrap to the next level

Chemical company Ineos and recycling firm Plastic Energy are building a recycling plant that will convert plastic scrap into ‘high quality’ polymers. The site is expected to become operational at the end of 2023.

At the core of the new facility is Plastic Energy’s patented technology called Thermal Anaerobic Conversion (TAC), which transforms previously unrecyclable plastic waste into its basic molecules, ultimately yielding a product called TACoil.

This new recycled raw material can be used by many Ineos sites to produce ‘premium’ plastic for use across medical products, food packaging, lightweight automotive parts and pipes for safe water transportation.  

First trials of product from Plastic Energy’s innovative recycling process have been completed. The recycled raw material has been successfully converted into polymers said to be identical to virgin plastics with help of the Ineos cracker at Cologne, Germany. The plastics made from this trial will now be used by selected customers and brands to demonstrate the benefits of the process.

Plastic Energy ceo Carlos Monreal comments: ‘We will work jointly to bring this new solution on to the market and respond to the growing demand for high quality recycled content and the growing imperative to increase recycling rates and move towards a circular future for plastics.’

Both parties are currently exploring the best location for the new recycling centre, which will be constructed near existing sites.