Borealis, BlueAlp form chemical recycling partnership

Borealis GmbH, an Austra-based polyolefin developer and recycler, recently announced a strategic partnership with Netherlands-based chemical recycling technology company BlueAlp B.V.

Under the agreement, Borealis will transfer its majority share in Renasci, a chemical recycling company based in Ostend, Belgium, to BlueAlp, while acquiring a 10 percent share in BlueAlp to support its future growth and scale-up.

According to Borealis, Renasci licensed BlueAlp’s technology to create a 20-kiloton-per-year scale-up plant, which BlueAlp engineered, constructed and has supported throughout its operation in recent years. Borealis adds that moving from supporting operations to directly operating the plant is a “logical next step” in BlueAlp’s growth, accelerating technology innovation, establishing a robust platform for producing circular feedstock and further strengthening BlueAlp’s licensing proposition.

Since entering into Renasci, Borealis says it has led the development to become one of the few operating chemical recycling plants in Europe. Following the agreement, BlueAlp will lead the next phase of development of Renasci, while Borealis will continue to develop customer solutions based on chemically recycled feedstock.

“Borealis’ direct support comes at a pivotal moment in the chemical recycling industry, where rapid expansion of capacity is needed to achieve recycled content targets,” BlueAlp CEO Valentijn de Neve says. “Their market experience and materials expertise will support our growth and position us well to turn more plastic waste into high-quality circular feedstock.”

Borealis claims the partnership with BlueAlp will help both companies’ customers prepare for the European Union’s upcoming Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which is expected to increase demand for recycled materials suitable for contact-sensitive applications like food and cosmetics packaging.

“The deepening of the partnership with BlueAlp, combining assets and technology, will accelerate progress in chemical recycling for the industry,” Borealis CEO Stefan Doboczky says. “It will allow Borealis to accelerate serving our customer base with an ever-broadening range of polymers based on chemically recycled feedstock. This transaction is fully in line with Borealis We4Customers strategy, helping customers to deliver on their sustainability ambitions whilst strengthening the innovation and operational focus of the group.”

Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed.