INEOS Inovyn Unveils Next-Gen Recycling Pilot Plants to Boost PVC Recycling in Europe

INEOS Inovyn has unveiled two new PVC pilot plants at its Jemeppe-sur-Sambre facility in Belgium, home to its primary R&D center. This strategic move, as stated by INEOS Inovyn, aims to expedite the development of PVC recycling technologies that are currently not viable through mechanical means. This initiative is a crucial component of the 'Project Circle' initiative, which seeks to establish an industrial unit capable of recycling 40,000 tons of PVC by 2030. While approximately 30% of PVC waste in Europe undergoes mechanical recycling, Project Circle aims to address the remaining fraction by developing innovative technologies such as dissolution, pyrolysis, and gasification.

These new pilot plants build upon the technological expertise gained from Vinyloop™ from 2002 to 2018 and are specifically designed to enhance PVC dissolution technology, enabling the recycling of complex PVC waste, including those with legacy additives.

Project Circle underscores the importance of industry-wide collaboration, prompting INEOS Inovyn's participation in two Belgian consortia. The first consortium, known as 'CIRC-PVC,' encompasses the entire value chain, from PVC waste collection at construction-demolition sites to the production of rejuvenated PVC devoid of legacy additives.

 This consortium brings together industrial partners and experts spanning various stages of the value chain, including Entreprises Générales Louis Duchêne, Vanheede Environmental Logistics, ROVI-TECH, ECO-DEC, Avient Corporation’s Belgium site, Centexbel, the University of Liège, and INEOS Inovyn.

The second consortium, 'DISSOLV,' focuses on developing recycling solutions for PVC waste generated from flooring, carpets, and tarpaulin applications, which are currently unrecyclable due to the presence of textile fibers and legacy additives. Members of this consortium include Beaulieu International Group, Sioen Industries, Empire Carpets International, ExxonMobil, Centexbel, and INEOS Inovyn.

Luc Castin, INEOS Inovyn Sustainability Manager, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts across the value chain to expedite solution development and bring more recycled products to market. He underscored the necessity of a robust and competitive European plastic industry, enabled by increased investment and innovation in circularity and decarbonization. The financial support of the Walloon and Flemish regions to the consortia is deemed crucial in achieving these objectives.

INEOS Inovyn stands as a premier vinyl producer in Europe and ranks among the top three globally. Boasting an annual turnover of €5.1 billion, INEOS Inovyn operates with approximately 4,300 employees and maintains manufacturing, sales, and marketing operations in 8 European countries.

The company's diverse portfolio comprises a wide array of industry-leading products categorized under General Purpose Vinyls, Specialty Vinyls, Organic Chlorine Derivatives, Chlor-Alkali, Hydrogen, and Performance Chemicals. With an annual commercial production volume of around 10 million tonnes, INEOS Inovyn remains a significant player in the chemical industry. INEOS stands as one of the largest chemical producers globally, exerting substantial influence in both the chemical industry and the oil and gas market.