Key Takeaways

• LYB is opening a new closed-loop recycling centre in Lich, Germany, that will turn plastic waste into high-quality feedstock to support the circular economy.
• The centre combines existing assets with advanced sorting and recycling technologies to process waste for durable goods like car parts and appliances.
• LYB’s investment is to reduce dependence on virgin resources, lower its carbon footprint, and help manufacturers meet their sustainability targets.

LyondellBasell (LYB) is expanding its recycling capabilities with a new closed-loop preparation centre in Lich, Germany.

This state-of-the-art facility will convert plastic waste into high-quality feedstock for high-performance materials to support the circular economy and industry sustainability targets. The centre combines the expertise of a service provider, a university for process and analytics and LYB’s dedicated team.

This is part of LYB’s hub strategy to combine existing assets with advanced sorting and recycling technologies to create scale, reduce costs and extract value from plastic waste. It is a significant step up in processing durable goods waste like car parts and appliance parts where complex requirements demand the removal of paint, metal and other additives to get plastic to feedstock quality.

Frank Nöltgen, Vice President Advanced Polymer Solutions Europe at LYB, said: “These efforts are unlocking new ways of recycling durable goods into new materials for high-quality applications. By investing in sorting, recycling and the development of proprietary recycling technologies, we are taking significant steps towards a sustainable future.”

The centre uses mechanical recycling to process end-of-life automotive and appliance plastics like bumpers and trims into premium recycled materials. These materials will be part of LYB’s CirculenRecover product line, offering sustainable solutions with recycled content for demanding applications in the automotive and white goods sectors, including structural and interior components.

Erik Licht, Director New Business Development Advanced Polymer Solutions Europe at LYB, said: “We are excited to support automotive and durable white goods manufacturers in achieving their sustainability targets. This closed-loop preparation center ensures that valuable plastic materials are kept in circulation, reducing reliance on virgin resources and enabling products with a lower carbon footprint compared to virgin products.”

Full scale by Q4 2024. LYB targets to produce and market 2 million metric tonnes of recycled and renewable-based polymers by 2030.

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Source: LYB