Italy-based NextChem, the Maire Tecnimont Group company for energy transition, is moving ahead towards a more circular economy with the development of new technological solutions for waste.
The company has now launched a subsidiary business under the name MyRechemical, that is focussed entirely on the chemical valorisation of non-recyclable plastics. This will be achieved through the use of chemical conversion processes to produce hydrogen, methanol, ethanol and ‘circular’ derivatives.
With the development of this initiative, NextChem can now can offer a complete and integrated platform on industrial scale for the processing of all types of plastic waste.
Circular products, obtained through the chemical conversion of waste, feature a smaller CO2 footprint compared to products derived from hydrocarbons, while avoiding emissions otherwise generated by waste incineration.
The initiative is a result of the positive feedback on the various waste-to-chemical proposals put forward within the scope of a number of ongoing projects with oil companies, among whom, Eni.
As interest from the market grew, NextChem decided to establish a dedicated entity in which the technical skills required for the development and commercialisation such solutions would be bundled.
Featuring both proprietary and licensed technologies, the core of the process is the chemical conversion of carbon and hydrogen contained in waste (non-recyclable plastics, RDF and dry fraction) by partial oxidation and subsequent purification, from which a low carbon syngas is obtained. This is converted with process extension into hydrogen, methanol, ethanol and derivatives, products with a lower carbon content than those from fossil sources, and which can serve as sustainable fuels.
“The great availability of municipal solid waste and non-recyclable plastics makes them a "New Oil" with great potential,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of NextChem and Maire Tecnimont Group.
Giacomo Rispoli, who already heads the Waste to Chemical division of NextChem, has been appointed CEO of the new business.