Qenos takes Australia one step closer to circular plastics, using advanced recycling technology from Plastic Energy and Axens
Plastic Recycling
Process Technologies
Axens solutions to get more out from your plastic waste
DiscoverPlastic Energy, which specialises in advanced recycling of plastics using its Thermal Anaerobic Conversion (TAC) process and Axens, which has developed the leading edge Rewind® Mix process will support the recently announced Qenos and Cleanaway joint feasibility study for the conversion of up to 100,000 tonnes of household soft plastic waste and mixed plastics back into Circular Polyethylene.
Circular plastics manufacturing using advanced recycling takes soft plastics and other hard-to-recycle plastic waste which currently goes to landfill, incineration or escapes into the environment and recycles this back into the same products. It is the next major phase in recycling, and is forecast to attract $680 billion of investment globally by 2050.
Circular Polyethylene has identical properties to virgin polyethylene and can be used in food contact and high-performance applications thereby supporting local packaging and food manufacturers to achieve the 2025 APCO National Packaging Targets.
Qenos CEO, Stephen Bell, said that this important step in the development of the Qenos Circular Plastics Project (QCPP) was the result of an extensive assessment of suitable advanced recycling technologies and partners, supported in part by the Victorian Government.
Qenos’ objective is to deliver a project of market leading scale which will meet customer expectations and deliver on recycled content targets by 2025. These partnerships are crucial – Plastic Energy and Axens are world class companies that also see this opportunity to partner with Qenos, and support the establishment of a new major manufacturing sector worth $350 million annually with 3100 jobs over the longer term.
We are pleased to be partnering with Qenos as the advanced recycling technology provider, along with Axens, for this study into the creation of a circular polyethylene capability in Australia. Our patented and proven recycling process for plastic waste has been in operation in Europe since 2016, exemplifying why we were identified by Qenos as a leader in the advanced recycling sector, and a reliable partner on this project.
Axens is proud to have been selected by Qenos, a world class polyethylene manufacturer and specialty polymers supplier. This reveals all the potential of our alliance with Plastic Energy to provide, at scale, a complete and optimized solution, for advanced recycling of waste plastic, which otherwise would end up incinerated or landfilled, for the production of food-grade plastics while minimizing carbon footprint.
The Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) is developing the National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS), which aims to collect and recycle nearly 190,000 tonnes of soft plastic packaging per annum by 2025.
Developing circular plastic-to-plastic recycling capability in Australia is essential to address the challenge of plastic waste and meet the National Packaging Targets.
This is an example of the collaboration, investment and technology needed to create an effective and sustainable circular economy for plastic packaging in Australia.
The QCPP is the largest proposed circular plastics project in Australia, and is currently being considered for support under the Federal Government’s Modern Manufacturing initiative.
The joint feasibility study is expected to be completed by July 2022 and a final investment decision to be made later this year. Pending a successful outcome, the first of the advanced recycling facilities is expected to be operational by 2025. Fully commissioned, the QCPP would secure a leadership role for the Australian manufacturing chain in this emerging global sector.
About Qenos
Qenos is Australia’s only manufacturer and leading supplier of world class polyethylene and polymers. With an unrivalled reputation for excellence and innovation in the chemical sector, we are part of Sinochem, a diversified global chemical and technology conglomerate.
Qenos adds value to Australia’s natural resources through conversion into petrochemicals and polymers that are used by hundreds of companies in the Australian plastics industry. Our products are used in myriad applications including key food and drink packaging, agriculture, automotive, water, mining and waste management industries - making Qenos a vital link in the Australian manufacturing chain.
As part of the Qenos vision to be a leading business in the manufacture, distribution and trading of polymers and advanced chemicals, Qenos has introduced a new market channel, eXsource, operating out of Australia and New Zealand. The Qenos and eXsource eCommerce platform gives customers access to a wide range of imported polymers manufactured by Qenos, LyondellBasell, Bluestar and others. (www.qenos.com) Press enquiries: rod.coughlin@qenos.com
About Plastic Energy
Plastic Energy is a global leader in chemical recycling, offering a sustainable solution to help prevent plastic waste, transforming previously unrecyclable plastic waste into a valuable resource. Our patented and proven chemical recycling technology converts end-of-life plastic waste into an optimal feedstock (TACOIL) for making virgin-quality recycled plastics. Plastic Energy currently has two chemical recycling plants that are in constant operation in Spain and is one of the few companies worldwide that has sold TACOIL from the conversion of end-of-life plastic waste to replace fossil oils in the manufacturing of new plastics. We are leading our field in the transition to a low-carbon circular economy for plastics. Learn more on our website at plasticenergy.com. Press enquiries: press@plasticenergy.com
About Axens
Axens group (www.axens.net) provides a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics and all natural gas treatment and conversion options. The offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility study to unit start-up and follow-up throughout the entire unit life cycle. This unique position ensures the highest level of performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Axens global offer is based on highly trained human resources, modern production facilities and an extended global network for industrial, technical supports & commercial services. Axens is an IFP Group company. Rewind® Mix provides a complete solution to turn any plastic pyrolysis oil into perfect feedstock for steam cracking to make new plastics suitable for any application, including food contact packaging. Press enquiries: press@axens.net
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