Trinseo chemical recycling plant construction moving as per plan

Trinseo, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics and latex binders announced that plans for a world-class chemical recycling plant in Europe are moving forward quickly. Trinseo signed a deal with global technology supplier Synova and global engineering services provider Worley in late 2021, and the company is currently working on an engineering package and preparing Trinseo’s Tessenderlo, Belgium location for recycling activities.

Trinseo intends to start building by the end of 2022. The plant will be dedicated to recycled polystyrene (rPS), satisfying rising demand for the commodity as brand owners seek environmentally friendly alternatives. It will process 15 kilotons of rPS flakes each year, which will be turned into high-quality recycled styrene, allowing for the manufacturing of polystyrene (PS) and/or a styrene derivative including Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN).

PS is one of the most often used polymers and is entirely round. Because of its simple chemistry, it may be transformed to its monomer, resulting in a material with the same qualities as its fossil counterpart.

Francesca Reverberi, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, said that Trinseo chose Synova and Worley for their leadership in their respective sectors, the efficiency and maturity of their technologies and processes, and high-quality output. They both have a strong dedication to sustainability, and this connection was crucial for them as they continue their journey and objective of producing sustainable material solutions while retaining high quality and performance.

Synova is a prominent provider of technologies for recycling mixed plastic trash. TNO, an independent Dutch research group, devised the technology, which boasts a highly efficient process for converting garbage into high-value products while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

Worley provides project and asset management services to the energy, chemicals, and resources industries all over the world. The firm offers engineering, procurement, and construction skills, as well as consulting services. Every day, its 48,000-strong staff assists clients in moving one step closer to resolving our planet’s most difficult concerns, such as climate change, energy transition, digital transformation, and how we can offer a more sustainable future.

The building of the Tessenderlo recycling facility is part of Trinseo’s commitment to plastics circularity. As a major producer of PS Trinseo’s emphasis on polystyrene sustainability has enabled the firm to assist its customers’ sustainability goals, create technology that may be applied globally, and influence the future of the plastics sector.

Trinseo has been an advocate for mass balance processes, which are critical to providing sustainable plastics solutions, in addition to being a founder member of Styrenics Circular Solutions and an active member of over 60 industry and trade organizations internationally, regionally, and locally. The company recently announced a recycled styrene offtake deal with recycler Indaver, the acquisition of recycler Heathland B.V., and the release of bio-attributed PS, ABS, and SAN.