Polymers industry news

• Braskem Partners with TNO to Enhance Polyolefin Recycling

  25 June 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The partnership aims to advance Möbius dissolution-based recycling technology, improving plastic residue purification and sustainability, yielding near-virgin grade polymer resin for broader applications.
• Heinlein Plastik-Technik Joins ALPLA Group

  17 June 2024

  PolymersPharma

  

  The acquisition expands ALPLApharma's capabilities in closure systems and injection molding, enhancing product offerings and creating a technology center in Ansbach.
• Recycling Tires into Automotive Plastics: Neste, Borealis, Covestro Collaborate

  26 June 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymersRubber

  

  Discarded tires are chemically recycled into high-quality polycarbonates for automotive parts, promoting circularity and sustainability in the plastics and automotive industries.
• Attero and SABIC Partner to Supply Recycled Feedstock for Plastics Circularity

  20 June 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  They will develop advanced recycling solutions to convert post-consumer plastic waste into feedstock, supporting EU recycling goals and reducing carbon emissions.
• Borealis to Install Recyclate-Based Polyolefins Line in Belgium

  5 June 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new line will use Borcycle™ M technology to convert recycled waste into high-quality polypropylene and polyethylene, enhancing recycling capacity and supporting a circular economy for plastics.

• L’OCCITANE and CARBIOS Unveil 100% Enzymatically Recycled PET Bottle

  30 May 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  A new PET bottle made from enzymatic recycling showcases a European circular economy, reducing CO2 emissions by 57% and aiming for 100% recycled PET in retail bottles by 2027.
• Mura and Elite Recycling Partner for Hydro-PRT Site in Teesside

  29 May 2024

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  A new feedstock supply contract will provide post-use plastic for a hydrothermal recycling facility, converting waste into reusable hydrocarbons and reducing carbon emissions.
• Ecomaison, Covestro, Secondly, and Federal Eco Foam Launch PU Foam Recycling Project

  22 May 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The project aims to enhance PU foam recycling from used mattresses using combined mechanical and chemical methods, focusing on material efficiency and sustainable circular economy development.
• MOL Opens €1.3 Billion Polyol Complex in Hungary

  14 May 2024

  Polymers

  

  The new polyol complex in Hungary will produce materials for durable consumer goods using advanced technology, enhancing industrial competitiveness and creating long-term employment for nearly 300 people.
• Arkema Acquires Dow's Laminating Adhesives Business

  2 May 2024

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The acquisition expands Arkema's flexible packaging solutions, enhancing its market position. The deal includes five production sites and aims for $30M EBITDA synergies in five years. Completion by Q4 2024.
• LYB to Establish Plastic Waste Recycling Hub in Germany

  29 April 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The hub will feature advanced sorting and recycling, covering 20 soccer fields, starting in Q1 2026. It aims to support the production of 2 million metric tons of recycled polymers annually by 2030.
• CARBIOS Breaks Ground on PET Biorecycling Plant in France

  25 April 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The plant will process 50,000 tons of PET waste annually, creating 150 jobs. It uses enzymatic depolymerization to recycle PET, reducing reliance on oil and supporting a circular economy.
• SASA Boosts Polyester Output with New PTA Plant

  28 March 2024

  Polymers

  

  The new PTA plant in Adana aims for 1.75 million tons annually, reducing import reliance, cutting costs, boosting production, creating jobs, and lowering emissions with Invista technology. Completion by Q4 2024.
• Trinseo Considers Closing Virgin Polycarbonate Plant in Germany

  15 March 2024

  Polymers

  

  The potential closure aims to boost annual profitability by $15-20M. Demand softens, prices drop due to oversupply. Trinseo explores recycling tech, with a pilot facility in the Netherlands.
• Traceless Announces Hamburg Production Plant Location

  7 March 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new plant in Hamburg-Harburg will produce bio-based, compostable plastic substitutes, creating 40 jobs. Initial purchase agreements and a €36.6M financing round support the project.
• Mura Technology and Neste Sign Offtake Agreement for Teesside Recycling Site

  7 March 2024

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  Neste will convert products from Mura's Teesside site into new plastic feedstock. The HydroPRS™ process enables efficient recycling of mixed plastics, reducing fossil resource use and carbon footprint.
• PLAYMOBIL Adopts INEOS Plant-Based Materials for Sustainable Toys

  5 March 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  PLAYMOBIL's new JUNIOR line uses 90-100% plant-based materials, certified by ISCC. Packaging includes 90% recycled cardboard and 100% recycled paper. Full conversion by mid-year.
• Europe Risks Offshoring Industry, Jobs, and Emissions

  20 February 2024

  Base chemistryPolymersSteam crackerRefinery

  

  Sir Jim Ratcliffe urges the EU to address high energy costs, carbon taxes, and lack of renewal in the chemical sector to prevent further offshoring and industrial decline.
• Eastman and Dentis Group Partner to Supply Feedstock for French Recycling Facility

  14 February 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymersEnergy

  

  The partnership will supply 30,000 metric tonnes of PET waste annually to Eastman's new molecular recycling facility in France, enhancing circularity and reducing environmental impact.
• H&S Installs Mattress Recycling Plant in Lelystad

  5 February 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The new plant uses advanced depolymerization to recycle polyurethane foam from 200,000 mattresses annually, producing high-quality recycled polyol for new PU products, aiding EU waste reduction goals.
• Arkema Boosts Pebax® Elastomers Production by 40% in France

  1 February 2024

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The new unit at Serquigny produces bio-circular and classical Pebax® elastomers, reducing water use by 25%. These materials serve sports, electronics, and specialty markets.
• Paques Biomaterials Secures €14M for PHA Production Site in Emmen

  27 January 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  Raised funds will scale up biopolymer production, leveraging wastewater technology. New facility in Emmen to produce biodegradable PHA, with significant market growth expected by 2028.
• Pryme N.V. Produces First Oil at Rotterdam Plant

  24 January 2024

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The plant began production on January 19, 2024, focusing on calibrating processes and optimizing performance. Full-scale production is expected by Q3, aiming for 30,000 metric tons of pyrolysis oil annually.
• Braskem and Shell to Produce Circular Polypropylene from Plastic Waste

  17 January 2024

  Base chemistryBiobased & CircularPolymers

  

  Shell will convert pyrolysis oils into circular feedstocks, which Braskem will use to produce circular polypropylene, supporting sustainability and circular economy goals.
• Neste to Transform Porvoo Refinery into Renewables Hub

  20 December 2023

  Base chemistrySpecialtiesBiobased & CircularPolymersRefineryEnergy

  

  The Porvoo refinery will shift to producing 3 million tons of renewable and circular products by the mid-2030s, requiring 2.5 BEUR in investments, driven by declining fossil fuel demand and climate goals.
• LyondellBasell's Wesseling Recycling Project Secures EU Grant

  13 December 2023

  Biobased & CircularPolymers

  

  The €40M EU grant will fund an advanced recycling plant in Germany, converting plastic waste into new materials, reducing CO2 emissions, and supporting the European Green Deal.
• Arkema to Acquire Arc Building Products in Ireland

  13 December 2023

  SpecialtiesPolymers

  

  The acquisition will enhance Arkema's market position in Ireland, expanding its product range and local production. The deal is set to close in Q1 2024.