INEOS is investing millions in research and development to help create a more circular economy.
It is building a new research facility in Italy to develop the next generation of reusable plastics at its site in Rossignano.
It is planning to focus on developing polypropylene which can be used in electric cars and advanced packaging.
“Both of them want more high quality components that are lightweight and easy to recycle,” said Andrea Vittone, managing director and site manager at INEOS Manufacturing Italia.
Polypropylene is easy to reuse and recycle and is great for long-term durable applications such as car bumpers.
It is tough, flexible, doesn’t react with water and detergents, and can easily be sorted by recycling companies.
Once recycled, INEOS can mix it with a new material so it can have a second life as something new.
Today a lot of packaging is made up of a mixture of different types of plastic which are difficult to separate and reuse.
“All of us are aware of the problems of plastic but now we must work on the solutions,” said Andrea.
INEOS is determined to develop new polypropylene products that add value and bring us closer to a circular economy.
“None of us can live without plastic,” said Andrea. “But we realise that we must add value to plastic waste and not throw it away.”