LyondellBasell begins commercial production of polymers from plastic waste

Netherlands-based chemical company LyondellBasell has begun production of virgin quality polymers from raw materials extracted from plastic waste at its Wesseling, Germany site.

By the thermal conversion of plastic waste at the LyondellBasell production sites, the raw material is converted into ethylene and propylene, and then processed into polypropylene and polyethylene in the downstream plants for producing plastics.

The maiden use of raw material derived from plastic waste comes after the successful production of plastic materials by LyondellBasell from renewable-based raw materials like used cooking oil which lowers the CO2 over the product life cycle and cuts down the use of fossil-based raw materials.

LyondellBasell begins commercial production of polymers from plastic waste at Wesseling site in Germany. Photo courtesy of LyondellBasell Industries.

Richard Roudeix — LyondellBasell SVP Olefins and Polyolefins for Europe, Middle East, Africa and India said: “Advancing the circular economy requires definitive action and by consistently using these new raw materials in the production of polymers on a commercial scale, we are doing our part to help eliminate plastic waste and address climate change.

“We are expanding our range of sustainable solutions through our Circulen brand and the use of recycled content, offering our customers a way to use recycled polymers in a wide variety of applications.”

LyondellBasell will market the products manufactured from recycled and renewable-based raw materials under the brand name — Circulen. The plastic products are said to help brand owners to enhance the sustainability of consumer products.

Furthermore, the Circulen products will help produce high-quality plastics for strictly controlled applications like food packaging and healthcare products.