LyondellBasell to build pilot facility in Italy

LyondellBasell, Rotterdam, Netherlands, has announced that it plans to build a small-scale pilot facility at its site in Ferrara, Italy. The company reports that this facility will move the company “another step closer to converting postconsumer plastic waste into new plastics on a commercial scale.” According to a news release from LyondellBasell, the company selected its Ferrara site for the pilot facility because of its history of research and development, including catalyst development.

Through its collaboration with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany, LyondellBasell’s proprietary molecular recycling technology, known as MoReTec, has shown that using a catalyst in the pyrolysis process, or the structural breakdown of plastic scrap into molecules, is faster and more energy-efficient than traditional chemical recycling, LyondellBasell says.

“We have advanced our chemical recycling capabilities over the last 15 months, and through research and testing we are studying a number of LyondellBasell proprietary catalyst options,” says Jim Seward, LyondellBasell senior vice president of research and development, technology and sustainability. “In addition to continuing the development of our catalyst options, our investment in a small-scale pilot facility will help us to advance MoReTec technology towards commercial scale in our quest to achieving a true circular economy.”

The MoReTec technology has the goal to convert typically difficult-to-recycle plastic, such as multilayer films, returning them to their molecular state to be used as feedstock to produce new plastic for all applications, including food-contact items and health care items. Although MoReTec technology is based on chemical recycling, LyondellBasell reports that it also includes a proprietary catalyst-based approach.

The company states that it believes this approach has potential because of its lower energy use and faster chemical conversion process, which uses less heat. In the next few months, LyondellBasell says it plans to continue its construction of the pilot facility in Ferrara while also focusing on the interaction of various waste types on the molecular recycling process, catalyst selection and process conditions.

In addition, LyondellBasell is still involved in mechanical recycling through its Quality Circular Polymers joint venture with Suez, which converts postconsumer plastic into new plastic pellets that are used in applications ranging from electrical appliances, washing detergent bottles and suitcases. Also, LyondellBasell has produced new bioplastics from 100-percent-renewable raw materials, such as cooking and vegetable oil waste, which can be used to create items such as food packaging, toys and furniture.