PureCycle Technologies, Inc. will build its first polypropylene recycling facility in Europe in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ NextGen District located in Belgium. The new plant is expected to have an annual capacity of 59,000 metric tons (130 million pounds), with opportunities to expand operations in the future since the 14-hectare plot can support up to four processing lines with an anticipated total capacity of approximately 240,000 metric tons (500 million pounds) per year (in total for all four processing lines), according to a press release.
PureCycle is currently engaged in feedstock sourcing and financial planning with the intent to secure a final project timeline by mid-2023. Construction of the plant is expected to begin upon completion of the permitting process, which is currently anticipated in 2024.
According to the company’s website, PureCycle Technologies holds a global license for the only patented solvent-driven purification recycling technology, developed by The Procter & Gamble Company, that is designed to transform polypropylene plastic waste (designated as No. 5 plastic) into a continuously renewable resource. The purification process removes color, odor, and other impurities from No. 5 plastic waste resulting in an ultra-pure recycled resin that can be recycled and reused multiple times.
