Plastic Energy Netherlands Project Produces First Pyrolysis Oil, Plastic Recycling Achievements Emerge

Plastic recycling company Plastic Energy has announced that, together with Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), it has successfully produced the first batch of Tacoil—a type of pyrolysis oil—at their joint venture plant in Geleen, the Netherlands. This achievement marks a key step towards the plant's full commercial operation, which is expected to be realized later this year.

As the sun set in the west, the exterior of the chemical recycling plant stood out vividly in the afterglow. This plant carries the innovative hopes in the field of plastic recycling, and Tacoil's first output is undoubtedly an important milestone in the plastic recycling process.

According to London-based Plastic Energy, Tacoil is made from post-consumer plastic waste that is difficult to recycle. In the past, this plastic waste was mostly incinerated or landfilled, resulting in resource waste and negative environmental impacts. Now, Tacoil is designed as a substitute for traditional naphtha and can be used in existing petrochemical plants to produce various products such as food-contact packaging and medical-grade plastics. The company states that the polymers produced by this plant will significantly increase the commercial output of recycled polymers. Since 2019, these recycled polymers have been used by many brand owners in various consumer and packaging products.

Plastic Energy states that its patented TAC chemical recycling process can thermally decompose mixed plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment. Once fully operational, the plant will process 20,000 tons of plastic annually. Currently, this technology has been validated at an industrial scale in a plant in Spain and can be directly integrated into the existing plastic value chain.

It is worth mentioning that the advanced recycling (SPEAR) plant, a collaboration between SABIC and Plastic Energy, is reportedly "the first case of integrating third-party chemical recycling technology into existing petrochemical facilities." This innovative model will help support and promote the goals set by the EU under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to make all packaging fully recyclable by 2030.

Ian Temperton, CEO of Plastic Energy, stated: "The production of the first batch of Tacoil at the SPEAR plant marks an important step forward for the plastic recycling industry. It highlights the capability of Plastic Energy's technology, the robustness of our process, and the dedication of our excellent team. We value our partnership with project collaborator SABIC and are proud to achieve this milestone together. Recycling plastic waste into new plastic is crucial for building a circular economy, and this is precisely what this plant accomplishes. It increases recycling rates by diverting waste plastics from incineration, helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and also demonstrates the unlimited possibilities that innovation combined with scale can bring."

In addition, Plastic Energy has revealed that the project has received subsidy support from Topsector Energy (TSE), under the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs. With joint efforts from both the government and enterprises, the plastic recycling industry is ushering in new development opportunities and is expected to make greater contributions to global environmental protection and resource recycling.