en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ineos and Norwegian recycling company Recuro have signed a memorandum of understanding to build an advanced recycling facility at Ineos' polymer site in Bamble, Norway.

The project, named "Full Cycle," is designed with an annual processing capacity of 33,000 tons of end-of-life plastics, aiming to increase the supply of recycled feedstock that meets the requirements of the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The proposed facility will leverage the existing industrial infrastructure, land, and services at the Bamble site, combining environmental performance with economic feasibility. Compared to building a standalone recycling facility, this approach is expected to reduce project costs and overall environmental footprint.

The facility will be fully powered by Norwegian renewable energy and will use advanced pyrolysis technology to recover carbon from plastic waste while minimizing emissions.

Unlike processes that convert recycled materials into energy, the "Full Cycle" project aims to retain the oil and gas components generated during pyrolysis for further use. This method keeps valuable carbon-based materials in circulation, helping to reduce overall CO2 emissions.

Ineos plans to use the recycled output to produce recycled ethylene at the nearby Rafnes cracker, which will then support the production of virgin-quality recycled polyethylene at the Bamble plant.

The recycled polyethylene produced is intended to meet stringent regulatory requirements and is suitable for demanding applications such as food and medical packaging.

By integrating advanced recycling with existing polymer production infrastructure, the project aims to increase recycling rates while expanding access to recycled materials for high-demand, high-purity, and high-performance applications.

"What sets 'Full Cycle' apart is its holistic approach," said Arve Jakobsen, CEO of Recuro. "By repurposing an existing industrial site, optimizing infrastructure, and locating the plant next to a steam cracker, we can recover and reuse both the oil and gas streams. This is recycling in its truest sense."

The project marks a significant step toward Recuro's goal of becoming a leading player in plastic recycling.

"Great results can be achieved through strong partnerships," Jakobsen added. "This exciting project has been made possible thanks to support from the Norwegian government through Innovation Norway, our technology partner Vixla, and of course Ineos."

Liz Rittweger, CEO of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe, said that advanced recycling is crucial for expanding the potential of plastic recycling and closing the loop for high-performance applications.

"This project reflects Ineos' commitment to achieving a low-carbon circular economy for our customers and wider society," Rittweger said. "Regulators can support this effort by establishing clear, harmonized rules that recognize advanced recycling outputs, provide legal certainty, and give investors the confidence to invest at scale in new technologies."