Brussels-based Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS) and Agilyx, Tigard, Oregon, have announced a collaboration between INEOS Styrolution, Trinseo and Agilyx to advance a polystyrene (PS) chemical recycling facility in Europe. The facility would be a first of its kind in Europe, Agilyx reports in a news release.
SCS members INEOS Styrolution and Trinseo, both leaders in manufacturing PS and other styrenic materials, have combined resources to advance the development of a commercial-scale chemical recycling plant. According to a news release from Agilyx, the new plant would be capable of processing up to 50 tons per day of postconsumer PS feedstock.
The project follows the results of an evaluation study in which SCS, the joint industry initiative to increase the circularity of styrenic polymers, connected with Agilyx to perform tests with samples of postconsumer PS food packaging waste. Agilyx evaluated the composition of the waste feedstock and successfully recycled it back into its original liquid monomer, using its depolymerization technology.
According to Agilyx, the location for the European PS chemical recycling facility is still under evaluation. The company reports that it is looking at several options currently with goals of starting operations by 2021.
“This is an exciting time in the advancement of plastics recycling, when we really can make a difference with the development of a plant that will not only lead the way to significantly increase European PS recycling rates, but also truly close the loop with food grade recycled content,” says Rob Slangen, plastic and feedstocks technology leader at Trinseo and member of the SCS technology working group. “As such, we are well-positioned to become a key contributor to the European Commission’s recycling goals.”
“Our collaboration with SCS, and for this specific project, with Trinseo, and INEOS Styrolution is a needed and important step in being able to turn everyday plastics into a renewable resource,” says Joe Vaillancourt, Agilyx’s CEO. “For over 15 years, Agilyx has been driven with a vision to end wasteful outcomes of postconsumer plastics and ensure that no plastic ends up in a landfill. This collaboration will allow us to create a fully circular solution for postconsumer PS which has so many benefits to the way we live.”
By: Megan Smalley
Source: Recycling Today
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