BioBTX (Covestro-backed) to produce BTX aromatics from mixed plastic waste
- Plant in Delfzijl will recycle about 20,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste annually.
- Expected output: ~10,000 t/y aromatic oil (benzene, toluene, xylenes) and ~8,000 t/y sustainable by-products.
- Process uses BioBTX's ICCP catalytic pyrolysis and is expected to reduce GHG emissions for BTX by 70–80% versus fossil routes.
- Covestro became a shareholder and strategic partner in 2024 with a mid‑single‑digit million euro stake; plant will create 35 jobs.
Project overview
Dutch developer BioBTX is building the world’s first commercial-scale plant at Chemical Park Delfzijl to convert mixed plastic waste into aromatic chemicals using its ICCP (Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process) technology. The facility will create 35 jobs and completes a 14-year development journey from an idea in 2012 through lab and pilot scale to commercial execution.
Technology and feedstock
ICCP converts mixed plastic that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled via catalytic pyrolysis into an aromatic oil composed of benzene, toluene and xylenes (B‑T‑X). The technology is feedstock-flexible and has potential to expand to other sources such as biomass.
Production, uses and emissions
The plant is expected to recycle about 20,000 tonnes of waste annually and produce approximately 10,000 tonnes of renewable aromatic oil and 8,000 tonnes of sustainable by-products. The BTX output can be used in coatings, pharmaceuticals and performance materials and as feedstock for isocyanate (MDI/TDI) production. BioBTX projects a 70–80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions for the resulting building blocks compared with conventional fossil-based BTX.
Partnerships and backing
Covestro has been a shareholder and strategic partner since 2024, holding a mid-single-digit million euro stake and noting the importance of converting mixed, unsorted streams to scale circular chemistry. BioBTX's CEO called the plant the company’s first fully sustainable aromatic plant and a key milestone.
Source: Covestro
