European Chemical Industry News & Insights

LyondellBasell Begins Polymer Production from Plastic Waste in Germany

At a glance
  • LyondellBasell converts plastic waste into ethylene and propylene at its Wesseling site.
  • The company aims to produce 2 million metric tons of recycled or renewable-based polymers annually by 2030.
  • A pilot plant in Ferrara, Italy, is developing molecular recycling technology.
  • The Circulen brand includes products certified by ISCC PLUS for high-quality applications.

Production from Plastic Waste

LyondellBasell has started commercial production of polymers using raw materials derived from plastic waste at its Wesseling, Germany site. The process involves the thermal conversion of plastic waste into ethylene and propylene, which are then processed into polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE).

Environmental Goals

The company aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 15% per ton of product produced by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. Additionally, LyondellBasell plans to produce and market two million metric tons of recycled or renewable-based polymers annually by 2030.

Technological Advancements

In Ferrara, Italy, LyondellBasell has commissioned a pilot plant to further develop its molecular recycling technology. This technology converts plastic waste into raw materials for new plastics production, with the goal of scaling up to an industrial-level plant.

Certification and Applications

The products made from recycled and renewable-based raw materials are certified according to the ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) PLUS standard. These high-quality plastics are suitable for applications in food packaging and healthcare items.

Mechanical Recycling

LyondellBasell's joint venture, Quality Circular Polymers (QCP), produces high-quality polyethylene and polypropylene grades from household waste. These polymers are used in various applications, including electrical appliances, detergent bottles, and travel cases.