Materials science giant Dow and advanced plastic recycling firm Mura Technology have announced plans to build a number of facilities across Europe and US.
These advanced plastic recycling facilities are expected to treat 120,000 tonnes of plastics, collectively adding 600,000 tonnes of annual capacity.
Dow will be a key user of Mura’s plastic feedstock, which is derived from material that would currently go to landfill or incineration.
Instead, the Mura HydroPRS process creates virgin-grade recycled plastic using supercritical steam to produce fossil-equivalent building blocks for new polymers.
The world’s first plant using this process is expected to open in Teesside in 2023, with capacity for 20,000 tonnes per year. This production line will supply Dow with 100% recycled feedstock.
Dow advanced recycling director Marc van den Biggelaar said: “”The strengthening of Dow and Mura’s partnership is another example of how Dow is working to build momentum around breakthrough advanced recycling technologies.
“By investing in new applications, Dow is working to meet the increased demand for recycled material from its customers and make a meaningful impact on the supply chain, helping to close the loop on plastic waste.
“Dow is committed to accelerating a circular economy for plastics and our expanded partnership with Mura marks a significant step on this journey. As a long-term partner, we are excited about the potential of this process to recycle plastics and help solve the plastic waste challenge.”
Mura Technology chief executive Steve Mahon said: “Mura’s technology is designed to champion a global circular plastics economy, and our partnership with Dow is a key enabler to bringing HydroPRS to every corner of the globe.
“This next step in our partnership and the resources provided by Dow will allow us to finance and dramatically increase recycling capacity and enable circular plastics to enter global supply chains at scale.”
Dow has also announced that it has invested in French recycling company Valoregen to help it build the largest hybrid recycling site in France. This facility, which will be owned and operated by Valoregen will look to combine mechanical and chemical recycling facilities on one site.
It has also signed a letter of intent with Nexus Circular for a plant in Texas to treat previously non-recycled plastics.
