To develop a circular solution for polystyrene based on chemical recycling, INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics has teamed up with Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, a recognized leader in dairy products. INEOS Styrolution plans to use recycled materials for yoghurt cups produced by Müller for this project.
Recycling Via Depolymerization Process
The joint project between INEOS Styrolution and Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller focuses on the use of polystyrene that is recycled via depolymerization, a process that converts post-consumer polystyrene waste back to its monomers.
The advantage of this process is the generation of high-quality virgin polystyrene ultimately for food-related use. In other words, yoghurt cups made of recycled polystyrene will have the identical properties as yoghurt cups made of conventional polystyrene.
Sven Riechers, Vice President Business Management, Standard Business EMEA at INEOS Styrolution said, “We are very excited to join forces with a leading market player like Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller. We are looking forward to a speedy and agile collaboration resulting in innovative solutions that may serve as an example in the industry.”
Phased Planning for the Project
INEOS Styrolution and Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller have agreed on a phased approach with a lab-scale phase to start this year, a pilot-scale phase starting in 2020 and a commercial-scale phase in 2022. This project contributes to INEOS Styrolution’s efforts to resource efficiency, recycling and reduced environmental footprint.
INEOS Styrolution creates and invests into recycling concepts for a wide range of styrenic products, like e.g. chemical recycling of polystyrene, taking advantage of the unique properties of the polymer.
Source: https://www.ineos-styrolution.com/index.html