Sabic and Plastic Energy are set to commence the construction phase on a commercial unit to produce its certified circular polymers, part of the Trucircle portfolio, which are made from the upcycling of mixed and used plastic. The unit will be based in Geleen, the Netherlands and is expected to become operational in the second half of 2022, according to Sabic. The project will be realized under a 50-50 joint venture called SPEAR (Sabic Plastic Energy Advanced Recycling BV) and is being executed with a top sector energy subsidy from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands.
As part of the project’s market foundation stage, Sabic has worked with Plastic Energy and customers and converters to produce and commercialize certified circular polymers since early 2019. The new unit will enable Sabic to significantly upscale the production of certified circular polymers to provide customers with greater access to sustainable materials which have been recycled and repurposed.
“Advancements in this pioneering project take us one step closer to driving the change needed to become a circular global industry,’ says Fahad Al Swailem, vice president, PE & sales at Sabic. ‘We have overcome significant, external global challenges to reach this important milestone and remain fully committed to closing the loop on used plastic. We are continuing to collaborate on an unprecedented level with our partners upstream and downstream to achieve this.’
Sabic’s certified circular polymers are produced using Plastic Energy’s recycling technology to convert low quality, mixed and used plastic, otherwise destined for incineration or landfill, into Tacoil. The Tacoil produced in the new commercial unit will be used by Sabic in their production process as an alternative to traditional fossil materials to create new circular polymers.
For more information, visit: www.sabic.com
