- The plant will produce 100,000 tonnes of renewable ethylene annually starting in 2026.
- The investment required is estimated to be over EUR 130 million.
- Basic engineering is scheduled to start in late 2023.
- Ethanol will be regionally produced by CropEnergies.
Project Overview
Syclus plans to build and operate a renewable ethylene production plant at Chemelot Industrial Park in Geleen, The Netherlands. The plant will convert sustainable ethanol into ethylene, with an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes. This will be the first such facility in Europe, aiming to promote sustainable plastic production.
Technology and Benefits
The facility will utilize Atol® technology from Axens, which offers high, cost-effective ethylene yields through a best-in-class catalyst. The technology optimizes process energy use, minimizing emissions, and produces high-quality ethylene that meets the specifications required by Chemelot and the ARG ethylene pipeline network in Northwest Europe.
Timeline and Investment
Basic engineering for the project is scheduled to begin in late 2023, with production expected to start in 2026. The estimated investment for the project is over EUR 130 million.
Partnerships
Ethanol for the plant will be regionally produced by CropEnergies, which operates a nearby renewable ethanol production facility and acquired a major share in Syclus in 2022. CropEnergies holds a 50 percent stake in Syclus and is involved in the project's feasibility study, with a decision on the next phase expected by the end of the year.
