Nova Chemicals Corporation and UK-headquartered advanced recycler Plastic Energy have announced that they have entered into an agreement to explore the feasibility of developing a chemical recycling facility in the Sarnia, Ontario region.
The new facility would be based on the proprietary pyrolysis technology developed by Plastic Energy. The advanced recycling company has patented a thermal anaerobic conversion process - abbreviated to TAC - to convert end-of-life, post-consumer plastic waste into a feedstock called Tacoil. For every tonne of end-of-life plastic waste processed, 850 litres of chemical feedstock Tacoil are produced, according to Plastic Energy. This Tacoil can serve as feedstock to produce new, virgin-grade plastics such as PE that are suitable for food contact and high performance applications.
“Post-use plastics offer tremendous value to furthering the circular economy, and our teams at Nova Chemicals work daily to innovate new and collaborative ways to extend the lifecycle of our products and plastic packaging,” said Greg DeKunder, VP of Nova Circular Solutions.
If constructed, the facility would be the largest of its kind in Canada with a potential initial capacity of 66 kt per annum.
In its Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership, Nova Chemicals set a goal of achieving 30% of sales from PE with recycled content and a 30% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 absolute carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. The company has also committed to building a world scale mechanical recycling business, as well as to continue to explore proven advanced recycling technologies.
“This agreement with Plastic Energy is a prime example of two companies working together to create timely, effective, and sustainable solutions that will help us make progress towards our 2030 recycled plastics ambitions while diverting hard-to-recycle segments of plastic waste away from landfills,” continued DeKunder.
The new facility would build on Nova Chemicals previous investment of CAD 2 billion in the construction of a new polyethylene plant, and in expanding production at the Corunna plant where it makes ethylene in Ontario. Nova is the largest private employer in the region.
Plastic Energy is one of the world’s leading advanced recycling technology companies. Plastic Energy has two commercial recycling plants in Spain that have been in operation for seven years, alongside new projects in Europe and Asia.
“We are pleased to sign this agreement with NOVA Chemicals to explore the scope for our first advanced recycling project in Canada,” said Carlos Monreal, Founder and CEO of Plastic Energy. “Together with NOVA Chemicals, we aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills, incineration, or as leakage into the environment, which is important for the circular economy in Canada.”