Project Circle

Creating a truly circular plastics economy remains a major challenge for Europe. Even PVC, one of the most recycled polymer in Europe, could be more frequently recycled if new technologies for complex waste combining different materials were developed. This is precisely what Project Circle is about.

The mechanical recycling of PVC is already well established and is a high priority for recyclers, converters and wider industry. In 2022 VinylPlus® reported 813 kt recycled PVC which represent roughly a third of the yearly PVC waste generation. However, mechanical recycling doesn’t allow to recycle all types of PVC wastes. Our project aims to utilise INEOS Inovyn’s expertise to convert post-consumer PVC waste into reusable products using three possible technologies: dissolution, gasification and pyrolysis. Click here to learn more about these technologies.

The development of these technologies is vital and the entire supply chain must be integrated into this industrial set-up. We have been forming partnerships with customers, waste collectors and sorters to ensure a well-rounded approach to recycling PVC waste that enables synergies with third parties and widespread adoption of the technology for a sustainable PVC industry.

We have joined two Belgium consortiums. The first, ‘CIRC-PVC’ covers the entire chain, from collecting PVC waste at construction-demolition sites to the production of rejuvenated PVC not containing legacy additives. The second consortium, ‘DISSOLV’ will drive the development for PVC waste from flooring, carpets and tarpaulin applications which cannot be recycled today, due to the presence of textile fibers and legacy additives. 

The ambition of Project Circle is to have a first PVC waste recycling industrial unit operational by 2030.

Contact

Technology development
Eric Romers
eric.romers@ineos.com

Business development
Francesco Tarantino
francesco.tarantino@ineos.com