- CropEnergies invests €1.8M for a 50% stake in Syclus.
- The plant aims to produce 100,000 tonnes of renewable ethylene annually by 2026.
- Basic engineering is scheduled to start in late 2023.
- Total investment required is estimated at €85-100M.
Investment and Stake Acquisition
CropEnergies AG has acquired a 50% stake in Dutch start-up Syclus BV for €1.8 million. The investment aims to develop a plant for producing renewable ethylene from renewable ethanol.
Project Goals and Timeline
The goal is to build an industrial-scale plant at Chemelot Industrial Park, Geleen, Netherlands, with an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes. Basic engineering is scheduled to start in late 2023, with production expected to begin in 2026. The total investment required is estimated at €85-100 million.
Technical and Economic Viability
The initial investment will focus on assessing the technical and economic viability of producing renewable ethylene. Syclus will also engage in discussions with potential clients during this phase.
Strategic Alignment
This investment aligns with CropEnergies' strategic realignment initiated in 2021, focusing on defossilisation beyond mobility. The company aims to diversify its portfolio by producing renewable ethylene, reducing dependence on fossil resources.
Infrastructure and Collaboration
Syclus plans to leverage the existing infrastructure at Chemelot, which is connected to the European pipeline network for ethylene. The location also hosts various users of ethylene, facilitating integration and collaboration.
