French chemical recycler Axens and Italian mechanical recycler Sorema are partnering to integrate their chemical and mechanical plastics recycling solutions.
The partnership will see Sorema offering its mechanical treatment solutions for plastic waste to optimise feedstock preparation for chemical recycling units designed by Axens.
The integrated solutions will range from basic engineering design to delivery of prefabricated modular units.
“Thanks to this cooperation with Sorema, we can now offer our clients recycling solutions which maximise the valorisation of their plastic waste stream,” said Stéphane Fédou, Axens plastic circular economy vice-president. “This partnership illustrates the possible and necessary synergies between mechanical recycling and chemical recycling, at the service of the development of a true circular economy of plastics, worldwide.”
Axens offers a suit of chemical recycling technologies. It licenses Plastic Energy’s pyrolysis technology, called TAC, coupled with its pyrolysis oil purification technology, called Rewind Max and Rewind Mix. Last October, it also started commercialising its PET depolymerisation technology, called Rewind PET.
The Rewind PET process involves the continuous depolymerisation of PET by glycolysis, followed by purification of the resulting monomer, BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate). Axen claims the technology’s main advantage for manufacturers is its ability to separate all additives and colourants to restore a pure BHET monomer, which can be easily re-polymerized in existing or new polymerisation plants.
Sorema’s offering includes PET bottle recycling lines, PE/PP film recycling systems for post-consumer and agricultural films, and HDPE/PP rigid container recycling systems for producing high-quality flakes for new packaging. They also provide solutions for recycling PET trays and de-inking. Sorema’s systems are modular and customisable, integrating pre-washing, washing, drying, and wastewater treatment to provide complete, turnkey solutions tailored to the specific needs of recyclers and manufacturers worldwide.
“This cooperation with Axens reinforces Sorema's position as the leading provider of comprehensive plastic recycling solutions,” said Giuseppe di Capegna, Sorema’s CEO. “By integrating our mechanical treatment expertise with Axens' chemical recycling technologies, we continue to set the benchmark for innovation and efficiency in the sector.”
Find Axens and Sorema at PRSE: stands L6 and C30, respectively.