Neste, ReNew ELP and Licella to collaborate in utilization of waste plastic as a raw material
Neste Corporation Press Release, 16 August 2018 at 10:00 am (EET)
Neste, the world’s leading producer of renewable diesel, UK-based chemical recycling company ReNew ELP, and Australian technology developer Licella are joining forces in a development project to explore the potential of using mixed waste plastic as a raw material for fuels, chemicals, and new plastics. In addition to studying liquefied waste plastic feasibility and sustainability as refinery raw material, the companies are also collaborating with the aim to facilitate regulatory acceptance for chemical recycling. The collaboration is one of the steps towards Neste’s goal to introduce liquefied waste plastic as a future raw material to fossil refining, with a target to process annually more than one million ton of waste plastic by 2030.
ReNew ELP is commencing construction of a chemical recycling plant in Teesside, UK, with a target to recycle end-of-life plastic to produce raw material for a range of petrochemical products. This will be the first commercial scale plant based on Cat-HTRTM technology, a catalytic hydro-thermal liquefaction platform developed by Licella over the past ten years. The collaboration also involves Armstrong Energy, who in a joint venture with Licella are leading the financing of the Teesside facility and global deployment of the Cat-HTRTM technology. Although the plant construction is not included in this collaboration project with Neste, it will nevertheless contribute to a common goal of enabling more efficient waste plastic utilization in the future.
“Neste has a strong legacy in refining, as well as raw material and pretreatment research, but we still need development of technologies, value chains, and supporting legislation for plastic waste based products to become a reality at industrial scale. I believe that this cooperation can accelerate the needed development and commercialization of waste plastic based products”, says Matti Lehmus, Executive Vice President of Neste’s Oil Products business area.
“ReNew ELP is very pleased to join this collaboration with Neste. Neste’s reputation as a global leader in the production of sustainable, high quality, low-carbon products makes them an ideal development partner for us. At ReNew ELP, we look to deploy our game-changing chemical recycling technology providing an innovative solution to the problem of plastic waste disposal,” concludes Richard Daley, Managing Director of ReNew ELP.
“We are excited to be deploying the world’s first commercial scale Cat-HTR™ plant
alongside Armstrong Energy. After 10 years and 75 million Australian dollars invested in the technology, we believe that the Cat-HTR™ is an important chemical recycling solution for the significant global challenge of end-of-life plastic. The collaboration with Neste and ReNew ELP will help to create markets for recycled carbon fuels and chemicals at a critical time as Europe pushes towards a circular economy,” says Dr Len Humphreys, CEO of Licella Holdings.
Forerunner also in bio-based plastics
Neste has two approaches to plastics with regards to circular economy. While exploring ways to utilize plastic waste as raw material, Neste is preparing to start commercial scale production of durable and recyclable renewable plastics from bio-based raw materials, such as waste fats and oils. Neste and IKEA collaboration is leading to a production of bio-based polypropylene (PP) plastic at a commercial scale for the first time in the world during fall 2018.
Neste Corporation
Kaisa Lipponen
Director, Corporate Communications and Brand Marketing
Further information:
Heikki Färkkilä, Vice President, Oil Products Development, Neste, tel. +358 50 458 0560
Andrew Buchanan, Business Development Manager, ReNew ELP, tel. +44 (0) 01642 438 280, a.buchanan(@)renewelp.co.uk
Andrea Polson, Marketing & Communications Manager, Licella, tel. +61 433 464 675, andrea.polson(@)licella.com
Read also:
Neste aiming to use waste plastic as a raw material for fuels and plastics
IKEA and Neste take a significant step towards a fossil-free future
Neste in brief
Neste (NESTE, Nasdaq Helsinki) creates sustainable solutions for transport, business, and consumer needs. Our wide range of renewable products enable our customers to reduce climate emissions. We are the world's largest producer of renewable diesel refined from waste and residues, introducing renewable solutions also to the aviation and plastics industries. We are also a technologically advanced refiner of high-quality oil products. We want to be a reliable partner with widely valued expertise, research, and sustainable operations. In 2017, Neste's revenue stood at EUR 13.2 billion. In 2018, Neste placed 2nd on the Global 100 list of the most sustainable companies in the world. Read more: neste.com
ReNew ELP in brief
ReNew ELP ('End-of-Life-Plastics') has invested in a new technology to chemically recycle end-of-life plastics into valuable oils and chemicals. The patented Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR) process provides an innovative solution to the global problem of end-of-life plastic disposal and contributes to the creation of a circular economy. The company has an ambitious programme of development in the UK. Read more: www.renewelp.co.uk. ReNew ELP is supported by UK-based energy investment firm, Armstrong Energy, www.armstrongenergy.co.uk
Licella in brief
Licella™ is an Australian public unlisted company established in 2005 and is recognised as the global leader in hydrothermal upgrading, the most commercially viable path to producing advanced biofuels. Licella’s patented technology platform, the Catalytic Hydrothermal Reactor (Cat-HTR™) is proven to convert low value feedstocks, including End-of-Life Plastics (otherwise sent to landfill or incinerated) and biomass residues, into valuable fuels and chemicals. Read more: www.licella.com