France-based chemical company TotalEnergies and U.S.-based Honeywell International Inc. have entered into a strategic agreement that will see Honeywell supply TotalEnergies with feedstock derived through the chemical recycling of waste plastic.
The "recycled polymer feedstock" will be produced at the new chemical recycling plant that Honeywell is building together with Spain-based Sacyr n Andalusia, Spain. Sacyr and Honeywell announced the formation of a joint venture in November 2021 to establish and operate a facility with the capacity to process 30,000 metric tons of mixed plastic waste per year.
The plant will deploy Honeywell’s chemical recycling UpCycle process technology to convert the waste into recycled polymer feedstock, or RPF. Production is estimated to begin in 2023, with the RPF to be used for the manufacturing of circular polymers in TotalEnergies’ European-based production units.
"We are pleased to partner with Honeywell to tackle the issue of plastic waste through the development of advanced plastic recycling, and thereby the circular economy,” said Valérie Goff, senior vice president, polymers at TotalEnergies.
“Plastics demand will continue to grow, so it’s critical to create a linkage between waste management and plastics production to strengthen a circular flow of plastics,” added Ben Owens, vice president and general manager of Honeywell's sustainable technology solutions.
This first planned project represents the start of the collaboration between TotalEnergies and Honeywell in the field of advanced recycling.
“The relationship with TotalEnergies will provide a strong recycled polymer feedstock offtake partner,” Owens said.
The polymers will have identical properties to virgin polymers and hence are expected to be suitable for a wide range of applications including food-grade applications, such as flexible and rigid food packaging containers.