A 50/50 joint venture between Dutch plastics and chemicals company LyondellBasell and French recycling and waste firm SUEZ to create Quality Circular Polymers (QCP) has been completed.
The joint venture has seen the creation of a new facility in Sittard-Gelleen in the Netherlands that will turn PE and PP recyclate into a virgin quality replacement.
This plant is capable of converting consumer waste into 25,000 tonnes of PP and HDPE with an objective of 35,000 tonnes later this year. It is hoped that, by 2020, production will reach 100,000 tonnes.
Suez has brought its sorting and processing expertise to provide the feedstock to the partnership, while LyondellBasell is applying its innovation in plastic technology, experience in product development, and knowledge of consumer goods end markets.
LyondellBasell chief executive Bob Patel said: “Partnering with SUEZ allows us to contribute to the circular economy in a way that no plastics company has before.
“For several years, we have seen increased demand for recycled and reused plastics, especially in Europe. With QCP, we have combined our respective expertise with SUEZ to create an innovative system that can be scaled as the circular economy grows.”
SUEZ chief executive Jean-Louis Chaussade added: “The circular economy will increasingly develop into a critical part of the plastic value chain. Moving forward, we will bear in mind the economics of operating our businesses must be balanced with environmental awareness.
“As we move towards becoming value players in the circular economy, we will continue to seek opportunities for future growth.”
