Ineos Styrolution, Agilyx to build PS recycling plant in US

Ineos Styrolution and chemical recycling specialist Agilyx Corp. are setting up a processing facility in Channahon, Illinois, as part of their joint effort to advance the chemical recycling of polystyrene (PS).
 
The facility will be capable of processing up to 100 tonnes per day of post-consumer polystyrene and converting it into a styrene product that will go into the manufacturing of new polystyrene products, said Ineos Styrolution in a statement 9 Dec.
 
The project is part of an agreement signed between the two companies in April, to bring Agilyx’s de-polymerisation technology at or near to an Ineos Styrolution facility in North America. 
 
As part of this Agilyx recently completed a successful development programme that qualified the styrene product to Ineos’ specifications and identified post-consumer polystyrene feedstock for the process. 
 
The planned facility will use Agilyx’s proprietary chemical recycling technology which breaks polystyrene down to its molecular base monomers, that are then used for the manufacture of new styrenic polymers. 
 
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be in this industry,” said Ricardo Cuetos, VP Ineos Styrolution Americas, Standard Products. “Agilyx’s chemical recycling technology is a game changer to advance the circular recycling pathway of plastics.”
 
According to the Ineos Styrolution official a benefit of chemical recycling is that no degradation will occur over multiple cycles and that the polymers can continue to create new products of the same purity and performance of virgin polystyrene. 
 
“This plant will dramatically increase recycling rates in the greater Chicago area, dispelling the myth that polystyrene can’t be recycled. We are thrilled to partner with Agilyx on this project,” he added.
 
The Agilyx process is claimed to be capable of recycling polystyrene contaminated with food and other organics and convert it back into new, food-grade plastic products or packaging. 
 
“Polystyrene is the best option for prepared food and beverage containers. It provides cost-effective, high-quality packaging for food service applications,” said Joe Vaillancourt, Agilyx's chief executive officer. 
 
Based in Tigard, Oregon, Agilyx opened its first commercial waste polystyrene-to-styrene oil chemical recycling plant in April 2018. 
 
The company is also collaborating with an industry initiative Styrenics Circular Solutions (SCS), which includes Ineos Styrolution, to build a 50-tonne-per-day of post-consumer polystyrene recycling facility in Europe.