We are investing in new recycling technologies of PVC to treat currently non-recyclable fractions - such as those containing legacy additives, or when combined with other materials such as polyester fibres, or when PVC is contained in other mixed plastic waste streams - transforming them into the original raw material.
These technologies also target the treatment and removal of legacy additives, such as lead, cadmium and certain phthalates.
With the valuable knowledge gained from our Vinyloop recycling operation in Italy, we have been investigating three possible recycling technologies: dissolution, gasification, and pyrolysis.
Dissolution
INEOS Inovyn’s Vinyloop technology is using a very selective solvent to extract and purify PVC from waste material by removing contaminants like other polymers, wood, concrete, etc. The development seeks to extend the existing Vinyloop recycling process by adding steps to extract the legacy additives, like stabilisers (lead and cadmium) and plasticisers (certain phthalates).
Pyrolysis
INEOS Inovyn’s pyrolysis technology development is being done with different partners in 2-steps: first, dichlorination, and second, pyrolysis of the dechlorinated material. This development should allow to recycle mixed plastic waste containing PVC in order to recover HCl and pyrolysis oil for conversion into ethylene and ultimately rPVC. The rPVC coming out of this process will have exactly the same characteristics as virgin PVC.
Gasification
INEOS Inovyn’s gasification technology development is being done by processing PVC waste mixture at high temperature in presence of steam and some oxygen to produce HCl and syngas (H2/CO). The syngas can be converted to methanol or ethanol, respectively converted to ethylene and ethylene/propylene and ultimately to rPVC. The rPVC coming out of this process will have exactly the same characteristics as virgin PVC.
