Ineos points to polystyrene chemical recycling advantages

Frankfurt, Germany-based Ineos Styrolution Group GmbH, part of London-based Ineos, says its Styrolution depolymerization process for styrene plastics shows greenhouse gas (GHG) savings of up to 50 percent compared with the production of fossil-fuel-based styrene.

The company says that finding resulted from the first results of a life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis for depolymerized styrene following ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. “The results confirm the developing story revealing polystyrene to be a valuable polymer contributing to the circular economy,” states the firm.

“Two independent research projects resulted in a consistent picture for the carbon footprint of recycled polystyrene,” continues the firm. The first effort, a laboratory-scale project, pointed to GHG savings of 37 percent, says Ineos.

The second effort was an LCA analysis that concluded “upscaling and optimization of byproducts allows for GHG savings up to 50 percent,” according to Ineos.

“Now we can for the first time prove that this technology is favorable regarding energy efficiency and CO2 footprint,” states Norbert Niessner, global R&D and intellectual property director at INEOS Styrolution. “Polystyrene and depolymerization are made for the circular economy.”

More information about the research, as well as future updates, can be found on this web page.

Ineos Styrolution describes itself as a global styrenics supplier with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties.