Ineos starts pyrolysis oil-based polymer production in France

Rolle, Switzerland - Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe has begun using pyrolysis oil-derived from recycled plastics to produce “virgin-quality” polyolefins at its Lavera site in southern France.

The polymers, said Ineos, can be used for applications including automotive tires and fuel tanks, as well as food & beverage, healthcare and infrastructure industries.

First deliveries of the pyrolysis oil have now been received at the Lavera cracker, where Ineos said it has adapted its cracker to convert the oil into recycled ethylene and propylene.

Ineos will then produce the polymers from the ethylene and propylene at its sites in Lavera and Sarralbe, France, and Rosignano, Italy, said the petrochemicals major's 11 June announcement.

The group has modified the Lavera cracker to enable production using both traditional and renewable feedstocks, including renewable naphtha made from biomass or organic waste.

The renewable materials are certified under the ISCC+ scheme, which tracks feedstocks using mass balance accounting, the Swiss-based group noted.

“The materials will help our customers meet the EU’s stringent regulatory targets and sustainability goals,” said Rob Ingram, CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe.

“By converting our cracker in Lavera and securing access to pyrolysis oil, we are building the capability needed to produce virgin-quality polymers from recycled feedstocks.”

No details were provided on production volumes or investment size.