The Netherlandsbluecircle-olefins.com
Its roles Owner Operator Developer
Blue Circle Olefins B.V. is a Dutch scale-up company developing technologies for circular petrochemical production. Founded in late 2022 by Ralph Koekkoek and Reinier Grimbergen, it focuses on defossilizing the chemical industry through the production of circular olefins.
The company is advancing Project NL, its first commercial methanol-to-olefins (MTO) facility in the Port of Rotterdam. The highly electrified plant will have an initial capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year and is targeted for operational start in 2030. It will convert renewable methanol—sourced from mixed plastic waste, agricultural residues, and forestry byproducts—into 100% circular ethylene and propylene.
These olefins act as drop-in replacements for fossil-based materials, supporting the manufacture of circular plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC with more than 80% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The facility will supply segregated, traceable products suitable for demanding applications including food contact.
Blue Circle Olefins operates independently with backing from private investors and has formed strategic partnerships, including with Ducor Petrochemicals for circular polypropylene supply chains and Chane for co-siting and logistics services at the Terminal Nieuwe Maas. As an emerging player, it positions itself to help Europe achieve a net-zero and circular chemical sector by 2050 while improving supply security and reducing reliance on imported fossil feedstocks.
chemXplore tracks 1 project involving Blue Circle Olefins, of which one is active.
They signed a co-siting agreement for a 200 kton olefins facility in Rotterdam, leveraging logistics and storage for renewable methanol feedstocks.
Companies will produce and co-market segregated bio‑based and carbon‑recycled polypropylene for demanding segments, aiming for a fully circular polypropylene supply by 2030.
A new plant in Rotterdam will convert renewable methanol into circular ethylene and propylene, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% compared to fossil-based methods. Operational by 2030.
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