A consortium of leading companies, knowledge institutions and universities launches the Circular Aromatics project, a 23 million euro initiative aimed at scaling up an innovative chemical recycling technology. The project offers an alternative solution for complex plastic waste streams and biomass, with the aim of producing circular chemical products.
The Circular Aromatics project plays an important role in the Netherlands’ ambition to achieve a 100% circular economy by 2050. By using the advanced Integrated Cascading Catalytic Pyrolysis (ICCP) technology developed by BioBTX, mixed plastic waste and biomass are converted into valuable aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) as well as olefin and paraffin rich streams. These building blocks form the basis for various essential products, from aircraft and car parts to protective workwear.
In addition to technological innovation, the ICCP technology offers a potential solution to current challenges in the recycling industry, such as the treatment of contaminated and mixed waste streams that are often incinerated or landfilled, catalytic* conversion and compatibility with existing petrochemical infrastructures. As such, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of CO2-emissions, the reduction of plastic waste in landfills, waste incineration and the creation of new economic opportunities, such as license revenues.
The project is being implemented as an expansion of BioBTX’s PETRA plant in Delfzijl, an important step in scaling up the production of circular chemical products. Partners in this initiative include BioBTX, catalyst producer Ketjen, ExxonMobil Chemical Holland B.V., Teijin Aramid, the applied research organization NTCP, the University of Groningen, the University of Twente and the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT). The project is part of the Dutch ‘National Growth Fund CircularPlasticsNL’ initiative.
With the Circular Aromatics project, leaders from industry, science and innovation join forces to take a joint step towards a more circular economy for aromatics in the future.
* In chemistry, a catalytic substance, or a substance with catalytic properties, is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction.
Questions?
For more information: Geoffrey Schouten (ISPT) +31 6 3912 7326 or geoffrey.schouten@ispt.eu
About the Circular Plastics Initiative
The project is part of the Circular Plastics Initiative (CPI), a collaboration between the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology (ISPT) and the Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI), two leading bodies in the Netherlands committed to stimulating circularity in plastics on an industrial scale.
DPI is a global platform with a focus on collaboration in polymer research, to promote a deeper understanding of polymers in the complexity of sustainable polymer production. ISPT, as the Netherlands’ leading institute for open innovation in the process industry, has the vision to position the Netherlands as a leader in integrating the industry within a sustainable societal ecosystem.