Green news: LyondellBasell/Polynt develop biocircular-based marine resins; Veolia invests £70 mn in closed-loop, tray-to-tray PET recycling facility in UK

Chemical firm LyondellBasell has announce the expansion of its long-standing collaboration with specialty polymers and intermediates firm Polynt, in the development of a high-quality resin for the marine industry, which leverages the LYB Styrene +LC (low carbon) solution.

LYB +LC solutions are produced using a mass balance approach using the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) Plus certification system. Sourced from bio-circular feedstocks, these products enable businesses to reduce their scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining the performance, reliability and quality, it adds.

Polynt is utilising LYB Styrene +LC to manufacture resins that are specifically designed for the construction of boats and yachts. These next-generation resins offer durability, strength and performance, while contributing to a reduced product carbon footprint – a meaningful step forward as the marine industry pursues more lower carbon solutions, it says.

“Polynt’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth is a core driver of our business strategy. In alignment with the most recent requests from the market, the regulating bodies and the other stakeholders, we are pioneering innovation in the thermosetting composites industry through eco-design, material optimization and circular manufacturing models. By fostering long-term collaboration with LYB – who has always been a leading partner among our suppliers – with industry players and with research institutions, we are strengthening our technological leadership while ensuring environmental integrity and market competitiveness. This approach enables us to anticipate evolving regulatory requirements, meet the rising demand for sustainable solutions and deliver resilient, value-driven outcomes across the entire value chain.” said Maurizio Leonardi, executive vice president for Europe at Polynt.

In other news, French resource management firm Veolia has launched what it says will be the biggest UK plastics recycling project with a £70 million investment, which will includes the country’s first “tray to tray” closed loop PET recycling facility in Battlefield near Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Construction on the facility has begun, with plans for the site to be operational by early 2026. This initiative forms part of the company’s broader commitment to the circular economy in the UK, with total investments set to reach around £1 billion by 2030.

The UK does not have a closed-loop facility to recycle PET trays into food grade materials due to the difficulty in achieving the required standards. Veolia has used its expertise to bring this technology to the UK’s domestic recycling industry. The innovative Shrewsbury facility will shred, wash and flake PET plastic from trays and bottles to be recycled into food grade low carbon new packaging, bolstering supply in a boost to the UK grocery industry.

The plant will sort around 80,000 tonnes/year of mixed plastics, collected from homes and businesses across the country.

The investment was announced during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the UK. It's part of the French Group’s continuous efforts to advance the circular economy in the UK for the benefit of local populations and resilience of the country's businesses.

Other investments currently coming on stream include the extension of a district heating network to 5,000 homes in Southwark, delivering heat from the SELCHP energy recovery facility, alongside investment to process and recover solvents and other hazardous waste, delivering further carbon savings.

Veolia adds it also launched a new process for the treatment of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) fire suppressants containing PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) ahead of a UK ban that came into force on 1 July 2025.

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