Tie-ups: Borealis/Reclay partner for waste/recycling in Europe; Solvay/Trillium collaborate on biobased acrylonitrile for carbon fibre applications

Polyolefin solutions supplier Borealis and material recovery firm Reclay Group have joined forces to meet market demand for the supply of recyclate material for use in high-end plastic applications. This partnership will optimise the recycling value chain starting with Germany, one of the largest European recycling markets.

The new agreement provides Borealis with access to a secure and steady supply of feedstock in the form of lightweight packaging (LWP) waste collected by Reclay’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in Germany. The plastic packaging waste is then processed at Borealis’ own recycling plants, thus extending the range of applications for which recycled plastics can be used. This in turn enables value chain partners, customers, and brand owners to meet recycling quotas and increase the volume of plastic recyclate used in products and applications.

“The reliable supply of high-quality recyclate is a prerequisite for a functioning circular economy,” explains Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Innovation & Technology and Circular Economy Solutions.

"We are proud to be working in partnership with an innovative and globally recognised company in the chemical industry moving into the future," says Raffael A. Fruscio, Owner/Managing Director of the Reclay Group.

Meanwhile in other news, Belgian chemical firm Solvay and Trillium Renewable Chemicals have tied up to develop the supply chain for bio-based acrylonitrile (bio-ACN). Trillium will supply Solvay with bio-ACN from Trillium’s planned commercial asset, and Solvay will evaluate bio-ACN for carbon fibre manufacturing as part of its long-term commitment to developing sustainable solutions from bio-based or recycled sources. The aim of this partnership is to produce carbon fibre for use in various applications such as aerospace, automotive, energy, and consumer goods.

Acrylonitrile is a chemical intermediate typically made from petroleum-based feedstocks like propylene and is the primary raw material used in the production of carbon fibre. Trillium’s Bio-ACN process delivers acrylonitrile from plant-based feedstocks like glycerol with a lower carbon footprint.

Stephen Heinz, head of composite research & innovation, Solvay, said, “Innovation partnerships such as this are driven by a desire to make a real-world sustainability impact. Bio-based feedstocks are a key part of Solvay’s sustainability strategy, and we look forward to being a consumer of bio-ACN from Trillium’s first bio-based acrylonitrile plant.”

Corey Tyree, CEO of Trillium, adds, “We are excited to continue our partnership with Solvay, who have supported the bio-ACN process technology development since 2014. Solvay is a leader in the most rapidly-growing acrylonitrile segment (carbon fibre) and are market leaders in bio-carbon fiber and sustainable development.”

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