INEOS Styrolution is now working closely with three pioneering companies which share its vision for a more sustainable world. And as INCH was going to press more partnerships were being discussed.
Two of these companies, Agilyx and Pyrowave, use depolymerization technology to convert polystyrene waste back into its original styrene monomer building blocks.
"That is a valuable raw material for INEOS Styrolution," said Cassie Bradley, Sustainability and Circular Economy Manager, North America. "We can use our existing infrastructure to convert recycled styrene back into polymer with properties identical to virgin material."
The latest deal is with a specialty chemical company, which has figured out how to convert polystyrene waste into high quality, synthetic polymers and additives.
Through that process, GreenMantra® Technologies Ltd also recovers styrene monomer, the building blocks used by INEOS Styrolution.
“People said it couldn’t be done, but it is being done,” said Mohammed Abboud, Product Manager at INEOS Styrolution.
He said the partnership with all three companies was important because it meant INEOS Styrolution could create a valuable, renewable pathway for polystyrene waste, by utilising recycled material to make its products.
“In doing that we move ever closer to a more circular economy where plastics are reused rather than landfilled,” he said.
These companies are all big hitters. INEOS' partners have the technological expertise; INEOS Styrolution has the manufacturing know-how.
Together they aim to recycle the polystyrene sent to landfill and show society that it is too valuable to simply throw away.
First though, INEOS Styrolution needs to ensure the monomer produced by each partner is pure enough to meet its strict specifications to replace its virgin raw material.
Once achieved, the new raw material will be fed into INEOS Styrolution’s polystyrene production facilities alongside conventionally produced virgin monomer.
“It is a pleasure to collaborate with companies that share our commitment to pursuing a circular economy,” said Ricardo Cuetos, VP Standard Products, INEOS Styrolution America LLC.