Ineos Styrolution has successfully manufactured virgin polystyrene from depolymerised styrenic plastic waste.
In a statement 9 April, the company said it had produced lab-scale quantity of general-purpose polystyrene with 100% recycled styrene monomer feedstock through a "game-changing" process.
The company has described the experiment as "practical proof of the recyclability of polystyrene."
Styrolution did not further elaborate on the technology, but said it conducted the tests in collaboration with commercial partners and universities.
The final product, said the company, was a "virgin material with the same product properties as polystyrene produced from new styrene monomers."
"We are very excited having achieved this breakthrough," said Michiel Verswyvel, global R&D expert, Ineos Styrolution.
"Due to its relatively clean decomposition into its building blocks, polystyrene is almost designed to be recycled," he added.
According to Verswyvel, Styrolution is currently working on improving certain aspects of the process, including purity requirements of feedstock materials.
"I am convinced that we have achieved a significant milestone in proving that polystyrene is recyclable and contributes to reducing post-consumer waste. We are now looking forward to scaling the process to an industrial level and saving valuable resources," added Rob Buntinx, president EMEA.