CHEMICAL RECYCLING | INNOVATION Chemical projects make


progress despite challenges Infinite recycling to guarantee a circular economy in plastics is the ultimate goal and chemical recycling – also called advanced recycling – is destined to be a major part of the solution, writes Mark Holmes


IMAGE: NESTE


Many types of chemical recycling processes for plastics have been developed in recent years, such as depolymerisation, pyrolysis, gasification and liquefaction. Chemical recycling of plastics has enormous potential for achieving the circular economy in plastics in tandem with mechanical recycling, but many issues still require resolving. The challenges are being tackled head-on by companies, often in collaboration with partners that can help in advancing new technologies and in sourcing feedstock. US-based Encina Development Group is observing strong demand for, and interest in, circular chemical products made using advanced (chemical) recycling technologies. “There are a number of factors influencing demand, including increasing regulations, global ESG commitments from major industry sectors and consumer senti- ment,” says Dave Roesser, CEO. “On a broader scale, demand for plastics is projected to increase significantly, not only in the United States, but, according to our information, also globally. The best information we have tells us that less than 10% of plastics are recycled, which really means that 90% are not being recycled. Our vision at Encina is a future in which nothing is wasted. Our circular manufacturing technology provides a solution to help end the plastic waste crisis by diverting


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


end-of-life plastics from landfills or incineration and using them as viable feedstocks for recycling and production of new plastics. Demand is also driven by the goals, globally, to reduce dependence on newly extracted petroleum products.” Roesser highlights several advantages of advanced recycling. Encina’s advanced recycling technology can convert difficult to recycle end-of- life plastics, such as LDPE, PP and PS, back into basic chemicals with characteristics that are identical to new chemicals, and in compliance with drop-in end-use requirements. This allows the creation of new plastic products that can be used for a variety of applications, including food and beverage packaging, electronics, automotive and healthcare applications. Roesser says: “Our process converts end-of-life plastics into circular chemicals that manufacturers use to create new plastics using a single-step catalytic process. From a macro standpoint, our process accomplishes two important sustainability objectives – it reduces our reliance on fossil resources and creates a more sustainable source from which plastics can be created. Encina’s technology serves a critical role in today’s plastics value chain and that of the future where plastic materials may be manufactured with bio-based or other recycled materials. Our process also comple-


Main image: Neste offers Neste RE, a renewable and recycled


feedstock that can replace fossil feedstock in the produc- tion of


polymers and chemicals


July/August 2023 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 15


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