Green news: Vynova implements R&D programme for PVC recycling; Freepoint Eco-Systems/Biotrend in jv for advanced recycling

European PVC and chlor-alkali company Vynova has announced the launch of a R&D programme to further advance PVC recycling and help the PVC value chain accelerate towards circularity. Vynova’s innovation efforts focus on technologies to remove heavy metals from dissolved rigid post-consumer PVC waste such as used window profiles or pipes.

The company has also launched its broad VynoEcoSolutions offering of ISCC PLUS-certified products with a low CO2 footprint, such as circular, bio-circular and renewable energy-derived PVC as well as renewable energy-derived caustic soda and potassium hydroxide. More recently, its Mazingarbe site in France became the first PVC production site in the world to receive the Operation Clean Sweep certification, it claims.

PVC is widely used in numerous long-lasting and durable applications and can be repeatedly mechanically recycled without any significant loss of key properties. Over the past 20 years, the European Vinyls value chain has been successful in the large-scale implementation of mechanical recycling processes, with more than 700,000 tonnes of PVC recycled in Europe every year. However, due to the long lifespan of PVC applications such as windows or pipes, PVC waste often still contains additives that were used in production decades ago, but have since been proactively phased out by the European Vinyls industry. In order to ensure full compliance with existing and potential future restrictions related to such legacy additives, innovative solutions are required.

To help realise this goal, Vynova has launched an R&D programme comprising both internal research efforts and collaborations with academic institutions. One of these collaborations is focused on removing heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, from end-of-life rigid PVC products through a combination of dissolution and membrane filtration technologies. If the current research efforts are successful in providing expanded, viable recycling options for the European PVC industry, Vynova will move towards industrialisation of these technologies by 2030.

“In the last few years, we have explored various technology options to contribute to improved PVC circularity. This R&D programme aims to complement and further build on existing mechanical recycling technologies. We look forward to continue engaging with value chain partners and contribute to their circular PVC ambitions,” comments Rudy Miller, Vice President Vinyls Business and Head of Circularity at Vynova.

In other news, Turkish waste management firm Biotrend and US-based commodities merchant Freepoint Eco-Systems International have announced a partnership to expand their footprint in the circular economy for plastics. This collaboration will develop pyrolysis-based advanced recycling projects in Turkey, the Balkans and Central Asia targeting a total production capacity capable of recycling 250,000 tonnes/year of waste plastic.

Biotrend brings its industry expertise and its ongoing development of an advanced plastic recycling facility in Aliağa, İzmir, Turkey, with a processing capacity of 60,000 tonnes/year.

Freepoint Eco-Systems contributes its focus on building, owning, and operating large-scale advanced recycling facilities that convert waste plastic into pyrolysis oil that can be used to make new plastic. Freepoint Eco-Systems and its affiliates are developing facilities in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, including a flagship advanced recycling facility in Ohio, US, which will have the capacity to recycle about 90,000 tonnes of waste plastic/year and is projected to be one of the world’s largest upon completion in late 2024.

As part of the potential 50/50 venture, a strategic investment company would be established by the parties to develop and own future projects.

Additionally, after its satisfactory completion of due diligence, Freepoint Eco-Systems would purchase approximately 10% of the shares of Biotrend through a private placement involving an investment by Freepoint in newly issued shares. Proceeds from Biotrend’s capital increase would then be used to develop and fund advanced recycling facilities including the Aliağa facility.

Founded in 2017, Biotrend is the largest integrated waste management and electricity generation platform by licensed capacity in Turkey. It has nine integrated waste management and energy production facilities, six energy generation facilities (including two facilities with biomass incineration technology), one solid fuel preparation facility and one greenhouse facility, totalling 17 facilities.

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