Recycling: Borouge/Tadweer to explore recycling opportunities in UAE; Covestro launches mechanical recycling PC compounding line in China

Polymer company Borouge and Tadweer (Abu Dhabi Waste Management Company) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities in the management and adoption of best practices in waste management, sorting and mechanical recycling of polymers.

Borouge and Tadweer will explore further opportunities in polymers waste sorting for mechanical recycling and the development of a sustainable ecosystem, to secure the generation of high-quality polymer recyclates using different technologies. Furthermore, the partners will join forces to establish business development and benchmarking frameworks which unlock value added business opportunities through potential joint investments in brown and greenfield assets. The agreement reinforces Borouge and Tadweer’s industry positions and supports their circular economy ambitions.

Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO of Borouge, said, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Tadweer to promote and implement stronger circular economy initiatives in the UAE. Together, we are exploring innovative ways of sorting and recycling polymers in alignment with national and international best practices. The MoU is in line with our continuous commitment to the wellbeing of society and preservation of environment. Sustainability is and will remain an integral part of our operations and culture that enables us to reduce risks and drive positive growth towards a brighter and more sustainable future.”

Ali Mohamed Al Dhaheri, CEO of Tadweer, said, "In this pivotal moment for sustainability, Borouge and Tadweer will unite to pave the way for a circular economy in the UAE. Together, we will embark on a transformative journey to redefine waste as a valuable resource and a catalyst for sustainable development. Our partnership is not just about recycling polymers; it's about reimagining our impact on the environment, society, and the economy. We stand committed to crafting a legacy where waste becomes the cornerstone of innovation and where we build a brighter and more sustainable future for all."

Both companies will be collaborating in supporting local regulatory frameworks related to the sustainable and efficient management of polymer waste. This includes the launch of public initiatives and campaigns to boost awareness about best practices in polymer waste management and recycling.

Committed to driving circularity for a zero-waste environment, Borouge has increased the number of strategic partnerships with recycling companies and expanded its product portfolio of sustainable solutions. Currently, Borouge has 18 partnerships across eight countries serving its key territories in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, marking an important milestone in its ambitions towards realising its 2030 strategy.

In other news, German materials firm Covestro has commenced operations at its first dedicated mechanical recycling (MCR) compounding line for polycarbonates at its integrated site in Shanghai, China. This line is set to produce over 25,000 tonnes of PCs and blends containing mechanically recycled materials annually, in response to the growing demand for post-consumer-recycled (PCR) plastics, particularly in applications within the electrical and electronic products, automotive, and consumer goods sectors.

Covestro adds it is committed to supplying over 60,000 tonnes/year of recycled-content PCs in the Asia Pacific region by 2026, in response to robust market demand. Recently, the company also transformed an existing compounding line at its Map Ta Phut site in Thailand for mechanically recycled PC.

"These investments enable us to meet the rising demand for PCR polycarbonates, enhancing our capacity and efficiency. With new or repurposed capacity now operational, we are better positioned to assist our downstream customers in their journey towards more sustainable products, expediting the transformation of industries towards a circular and climate-neutral future," said Lily Wang, Head of Covestro’s Business Entity Engineering Plastics.

The demand for such materials is surging on a global scale, driven by regulatory initiatives like the European Union’s proposed Directive on end-of-life vehicles (ELV Directive), which sets strict benchmarks for the utiliSation of recycled plastics. Furthermore, industries like consumer electronics are poised for increased demand for recycled materials, especially those with a substantial recycled content.

These market dynamics underscore the significance of Covestro’s recent developments in providing PCR polycarbonates. Earlier this year, the company unveiled a PC boasting 90% recycled content. This grade not only attains outstanding whiteness and highly saturated colours but also touts a sustainable feature – a 70% reduction in carbon footprint compared to its fossil-based virgin plastic counterpart.

Furthermore, Covestro is actively engaged in pioneering the chemical recycling of PCs, having successfully developed a process within the laboratory, and it is now embarking on the technical implementation of this breakthrough at a pilot scale.

After debottlenecking multiple production lines at the Map Ta Phut site in Thailand, Covestro is nearing the final stages of a program to enhance PC production capacity and capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. This program also includes the addition of new production lines at sites in Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, as well as Greater Noida, India, in recent times. The combined additional capacity now exceeds 100,000 tonnes/year. These strategic projects, aimed at optimizing the regional production network, have been supported by using digital tools, which also reduced investment costs.

(PRA)

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