Neste Completes First Industrial-Scale Run with Liquefied Waste Plastic

Processing Achievement

Neste successfully processed 400 tons of liquefied plastic waste at its refinery in Porvoo, Finland. This was the first time the company processed liquefied waste plastic at an industrial scale, converting packaging and mixed waste plastics into high-quality recycled feedstock for the petrochemical industry.

Strategic Milestone

This processing run is a significant milestone in Neste’s strategy to drive a circular economy and reduce crude oil use at its refineries. The company aims to process over 1 million tons of waste plastic annually by 2030.

Future Plans

Neste plans to gradually increase the volumes of liquefied waste plastic processing to refine value chains and processing technologies. Preparations for the next processing runs at the Porvoo refinery are already underway for 2021.

Research and Development

Prior to the trial, Neste conducted extensive research, laboratory tests, and comprehensive analyses to ensure the feasibility and safety of processing this new recycled raw material. The trial run was a result of collaboration across the Neste organization, leveraging advanced refineries and expertise in refining low-quality waste into high-quality end products.

Partnerships

Neste was supported by its partner Ravago in sourcing liquefied waste plastic for the first processing run. Together with Ravago and other plastics value chain partners, Neste is developing chemical recycling technologies to recycle plastic waste streams unsuitable for mechanical recycling, thus reducing plastic waste and crude oil dependency.