In the Netherlands alone, approximately 629 ktons of plastic waste per year is not suitable for recycling because it is contaminated or consists of multiple layers. At the moment it is incinerated, producing energy; a very low-grade form of waste processing.
By means of pyrolysis (heating without oxygen), these plastics and other (biomass) residual flows can be processed at a high level and reduced to circular or bio-based building blocks for the chemical industry. This could reduce annual CO2 emissions by 1.7 million tonnes and save 550 kilotonnes of fossil oil.
The pyrolysis technology is still under development, but successes have already been achieved in, for example, the Moerdijk pyrolysis laboratory. The PyroCHEM project partners will now scale up the technology and further develop the value chain.
Waste2Chem Hotspot
In the PyroCHEM project, Waste4ME is designing a demonstration plant with a capacity of 35 kilotons. The project partners are also developing a Waste2Chem open innovation cluster. Here, SMEs can use the facilities and network of the PyroCHEM project partners to optimise their own pyrolysis technology and work together on market introduction.
Partners in the PyroCHEM project are working together intensively to make West Brabant a Waste2Chem hotspot. Port of Moerdijk is providing a location for the establishment of pyrolysis plants on a commercial scale, while Waste4ME is creating a design for the pilot plant and testing five waste streams originating from waste processing company Renewi. Van der Kooy is sharing its facilities and knowledge about recycling oils and fats. The Green Chemistry Campus connects to the circular ecosystem in the region and provides a location for pyrolysis activities on a demo scale. The Brabant Development Agency (BOM) is developing the innovation cluster and Avans University of Applied Sciences is providing knowledge in the field of pyrolysis, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and involving students.
West Brabant in the Netherlands is an ideal location for the PyroCHEM project. It has knowledge, experience and facilities in the field of pyrolysis, good logistic connections and a large concentration of companies focusing on chemistry and recycling. They work together to create a resilient circular economy.
The PyroCHEM project has a value of €2.9 million and is made possible by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Province of Noord-Brabant within the framework of REACT-EU.
Visit the Green Chemistry Campus website for more information.
