Presenting the Partners: Holcim – Committed to Circular and Low-Carbon Solutions

Cristina Gomez (left) is Plant Manager at Geocycle, a dedicated part of the Holcim Group. Geocycle is the company in charge of waste management.

Holcim is exploring the use of char as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in cement manufacturing. As part of the Plastics2Olefins project, the company is testing char’s potential to reduce emissions and support the circular economy.

“As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Holcim brings its industrial expertise to the Plastics2Olefins project by playing a critical role in validating and integrating char, a by-product of the plastic pyrolysis process, as an alternative fuel source in cement production,” explains Cristina Gómez, Plant Manager of Geocycle, a part of Holcim.

The Holcim Group is a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. With over 1,000 employees in Spain and sustainability at the heart of its strategy, Holcim is redefining the future of construction with solutions that are circular, resilient, low-carbon, energy-efficient, and smart.

A key ambition for Holcim is to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050. To get there, the company’s strategy focuses on four main pillars: climate, circularity, nature, and people.

The Geocycle Albox Plant for Waste Management.

Holcim’s Role in P2O: Driving Sustainability in Cement Manufacturing

Holcim actively contributes to the Plastics2Olefins initiative through its involvement in Work Packages (WP) 3 and 6, focusing on char characterization and industrial-scale trials.

In WP3, Holcim is evaluating char samples made from different types of plastic waste.

“Since char properties can vary depending on the feedstock, the company is conducting detailed evaluations – looking at calorific value, moisture content, heavy metals, halogens, and sulfur levels, among other parameters,” says Gómez.

Plant Manager of Geocycle, Cristina Gomez.

These tests help determine whether the char can safely and effectively replace fossil fuels like petroleum coke or coal in cement kilns.

In WP6, Holcim is running full-scale industrial trials at its cement plants. These trials aim to understand how char behaves during combustion, how it affects emissions like CO₂, NOx, and SOx, and whether it impacts the stability of the production process or the quality of the cement itself.

Current Status and Findings

Holcim has already made significant progress in the project.

Char samples produced at the Repsol pilot plant are being tested at two of Holcim Group’s specialized facilities: the Quality Central Laboratory (LCC) and Geocycle Albox.

“These comprehensive tests provide a solid understanding of char’s properties and help anticipate how it will perform in real-world industrial conditions,” notes Plant Manager Gómez.

Holcim has also started experimenting with blends of petroleum coke and char, looking to fine-tune a mix that balances energy performance, sustainability, and compliance with environmental regulations.

Presenting the Partners: VTT – Pioneering Gas Purification Solutions for Plastic Waste Valorisation

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a leading European research and technology organization, committed to driving sustainable growth through applied science and innovation.

As Europe seeks solutions to reduce plastic waste and fossil dependency, research and innovation play a pivotal role. One of the frontrunners in this mission is VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, a powerhouse of scientific expertise and industrial-scale testing capabilities.

With a strong legacy in thermochemical processing and gas purification, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is a key partner in the Plastics2Olefins project, driving forward the development of clean, scalable solutions for converting plastic waste into valuable olefins.

About VTT: Science with impact

VTT is a leading European research and technology organization, committed to driving sustainable growth through applied science and innovation.

VTT

“With a mission to solve the biggest challenges of our time and turn them into growth opportunities, VTT operates across diverse domains such as clean energy, circular economy, digital technologies, and industrial systems,” says Dr. Michal Jeremias, Principal Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

At the forefront of industrial R&D, VTT blends world-class science with pilot-scale capabilities and deep expertise in thermochemical processes, catalysis, and advanced materials. Its work in chemical recycling and gas purification has made it a trusted partner in multiple large-scale EU projects aiming to accelerate the green transition.

Role and Contribution in Plastics2Olefins

In Plastics2Olefins, VTT is leading the development and testing of gas purification processes that enable the use of pyrolysis gas rich in olefins, produced from high-temperature conversion of plastic waste.

“The work focused on removing harmful contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), carbonyl sulphide (COS), ammonia (NH₃), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), methyl chloride (CH₃Cl), and carbon monoxide (CO), which can negatively affect downstream processes,” explains Dr. Jeremias.

To address this, VTT upgraded its ultra-cleaning unit (UC5) to support a flexible mix of cleaning steps such as scrubbing and adsorption. Multiple test campaigns were run with simulated pyrolysis gas mixtures, under both dry and humid conditions, to evaluate the performance of different materials and setups.

In parallel, lab-scale experiments helped assess the efficiency, capacity, and stability of selected materials in removing specific gas components.

“The results from both pilot and lab-scale work have contributed to the development of an optimized and scalable gas purification concept for the safe integration of pyrolysis gas into downstream olefin production,” says the VTT scientist.

From Lab to Pilot: Testing, Tuning, Transforming

VTT has successfully completed a series of pilot- and laboratory-scale experiments to evaluate different gas cleaning strategies for pyrolysis gas with high olefin content.

“Test campaigns focused on assessing the removal efficiency of key contaminants using both dry and humid conditions. Adsorption materials and scrubber setups were screened for their ability to reduce sulphur- and chlorine-containing compounds to required levels. In parallel, complementary lab-scale tests were conducted to examine breakthrough behaviour, the effect of water vapor, and long-term material performance,” explains Dr. Jeremias.

Dr. Michal Jeremias, Principal Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

The upgraded ultra-cleaning unit (UC5) was commissioned and tested with simulated gas compositions, supporting the development of an integrated and adaptable cleaning concept.

Results and Findings

VTT’s work has provided critical data and validation for the gas purification concept at the heart of Plastics2Olefins.

“The UC5 unit operated successfully in various configurations, allowing systematic evaluation of process steps for gas cleaning,” emphasizes Dr. Jeremias.

Key findings include:

  • Efficient removal of hydrogen sulphide using scrubbing and adsorption methods
  • Selective adsorption of COS and CH₃Cl with ZnO- and CuO-based materials and molecular sieves
  • Humidity-sensitive material performance, requiring tailored process control
  • Breakthrough and saturation testing to understand regeneration potential and operational stability

“These results form the basis for the gas purification concept developed by VTT and partners, which supports the ongoing integration of gas cleaning into the overall Plastics2Olefins system,” concludes Dr. Jeremias.

Presenting the partners: CIEMAT – Advancing Sustainable Thermochemical Solutions for Plastic Waste

Dr. Jose Maria Sanchez Hervas, Head of the Sustainable Thermochemical Valorisation Unit at CIEMAT, guiding Plastics2Olefins project partners on a tour of the facilities during the fifth General Assembly in June 2024.

As one of Spain’s leading public research institutions, CIEMAT brings cutting-edge expertise in energy and environmental technologies to the Plastics2Olefins project. With a strong focus on thermochemical valorisation of waste, their role is key in understanding and optimising the pyrolysis process.

From characterising plastic waste to improving the recovery of valuable products from pyrolysis, CIEMAT plays a central role in the Plastics2Olefins (P2O) project. Their work is essential for making plastic recycling more efficient and sustainable, especially when dealing with mixed and unsorted waste streams.

As a long-standing bridge between research and industry, CIEMAT contributes deep technical knowledge and state-of-the-art lab capabilities that help push the project closer to its goal: turning plastic waste into valuable olefins.

Who is CIEMAT?

CIEMAT (Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas) is a Spanish Public Research Institution operating under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. With more than 1,300 professionals, CIEMAT works at the intersection of energy, environment, and technology, acting as a driver of innovation and a connector between academia and industry.

A key research unit within CIEMAT is the Unit for Sustainable Thermochemical Valorisation, led by Dr. Jose Maria Sanchez Hervas, which focuses on energy and material recovery from fuels, biomass, and waste.

Dr. Jose Maria Sanchez Hervas and fellow Plastics2Olefins consortium members receiving updates on the project’s progress and various Work Packages during the June 2024 General Assembly.

“This group focuses on developing and implementing systems to promote the clean and sustainable use of a wide range of wastes. Its R&D activity encompasses primary thermochemical conversion processes, upgrading to precursors of gaseous and liquid biofuels, generation of secondary raw materials and valorisation of CO2,” says Dr. Sanchez Hervas.

How CIEMAT contributes to Plastics2Olefins

In the Plastics2Olefins project, CIEMAT is involved in Work Package 2 (WP2) and Work Package 3 (WP3). In WP2, the team is responsible for the physicochemical and thermochemical characterisation of plastic waste feedstocks. This step is essential to evaluate whether the materials meet the quality requirements for pyrolysis.

One of the plastic waste samples characterised for subsequent pyrolysis.

In WP3, CIEMAT is responsible for the characterisation of the biochar, as well as the revalorisation of the heavy tar-like fraction obtained during the pyrolysis of the plastics, which includes the following tasks:

  • Optimising high-temperature conversion of heavy compounds into gas and char.
  • Analysing the product yields from this revalorisation process.

Ongoing work and preliminary findings

To date, CIEMAT has carried out full physicochemical characterisations of waste samples provided by project partners Acteco and PreZero, in addition to analysing the char obtained from the pilot plant at REPSOL’s facilities.

The team has also made significant progress in revalorising the heavy fractions resulting from plastic pyrolysis.

One of the heavy tar-like fractions used for the revalorisation studies.

“Efforts are focused on maximising the yield of light olefins. This includes studying different operating parameters such as final pyrolysis temperature, heating rate, and the use of catalysts that promote cracking, explains Dr. Sanchez Hervas.

Results and impact: From heavy tar to high-value products

According to CIEMAT’s Head of Unit for Sustainable Thermochemical Valorisation, the physicochemical and thermogravimetric analysis of unsorted plastic waste has enabled better selection of feedstocks for efficient pyrolysis.

Meanwhile, valorisation experiments on the heavy tar-like fractions have already shown promising results: increased yields of lighter olefins and valuable secondary products such as naphthenes, BTEX compounds, hydrogen, and methane.

“These findings provide valuable insights for the design of future processes that can be integrated into industrial plants to maximise olefin production and minimise waste generation,” concludes Dr. Sanchez Hervas.

Presenting the Partners: ETIA – Advanced Pyrolysis Technology for Plastic Recycling

The Plastics2Olefins project brings together leading European players in chemical recycling to push the boundaries of sustainable waste management and olefin production. One of the key partners in this initiative is ETIA, a French engineering group specialized in continuous thermal treatment technologies.

With decades of expertise in pyrolysis, ETIA plays a crucial role in optimizing plastic waste conversion, ensuring that the project achieves its ambitious goals.

Who is ETIA?

ETIA, part of the Norwegian group Vow ASA, is an innovation-driven company that designs and delivers state-of-the-art solutions for processing biomass, food products, and industrial residues. Since its founding, ETIA has been at the forefront of developing sustainable technologies to turn waste into valuable resources.

ETIA

“One of our flagship innovations, the Biogreen pyrolysis process, has been in commercial operation since 2003, successfully converting biomass, plastics, and waste into energy and useful products,” explains Maïté Huron, R&D Director at ETIA.

While ETIA specializes in land-based applications, its mother company Scanship, also under Vow ASA, extends similar sustainable solutions to the marine industry.

“Together, we are shaping a cleaner future by reducing pollution and pioneering waste-to-energy technologies,” says Mrs. Huron.

ETIA’s Role in Plastics2Olefins

As leader of Work Package 2 (WP2), ETIA is responsible for testing various plastic waste streams at pilot scale. This stage is critical for gathering accurate data that will inform the design and construction of the project’s full-scale demonstration unit. Together with the other WP2 partners (REPSOL, CIEMAT, ACTECO, PREZERO, SCG), ETIA has undertaken a comprehensive evaluation of plastic feedstocks, involving:

Maïté Huron is R&D Director at ETIA.
  • Sorting, drying, shredding, and densifying different plastic types.
  • Conducting pyrolysis experiments on both ETIA’s and Repsol’s pilot benches.
  • Analyzing product yields and material behaviors to determine the most promising plastic waste streams.

“The insights gained from these tests are instrumental in optimizing the project’s demonstration plant,” notes Mrs. Huron.

In addition to providing crucial data, ETIA is responsible for delivering the pyrolysis reactor for the 500kg/hour capacity demonstration unit, including its feeding system, patented reactor, and char cooling system. This reactor will process 500 kg/hour of waste plastic, converting it into olefins, which will be reintegrated into Repsol’s petrochemical processes.

Current Status and Results

ETIA has been deeply involved in pilot-scale testing, refining its pyrolysis technology to enhance the efficiency of plastic waste conversion. Through WP2, the company and associated partners have achieved significant milestones, including:

  • Identifying the most suitable plastic waste streams for high olefin yields.
  • Establishing optimal operating conditions for pyrolysis.
  • Addressing key challenges in plastic waste preparation, ensuring a streamlined process for the demonstration plant.
ETIA Testing Center.

Currently, ETIA is collaborating with Repsol and Técnicas Reunidas on the design and implementation of the full-scale pyrolysis reactor. The company also continues to support other work packages by supplying essential data to refine the project’s overall strategy.

A Step Toward Sustainable Plastic Recycling

By leveraging its advanced pyrolysis technology, ETIA is playing a pivotal role in Plastics2Olefins’ mission to transform unsorted plastic waste into valuable raw materials.

“The project’s success will not only contribute to a circular plastic economy but also pave the way for wider adoption of pyrolysis in industrial-scale recycling,” says Mrs. Huron.

With ETIA’s expertise and commitment to sustainability, Plastics2Olefins is well-positioned to deliver groundbreaking solutions in chemical recycling.

Presenting the Partners: Repsol Leads the Way in Chemical Recycling with Plastics2Olefins

Repsol is advancing sustainable innovation by coordinating the Plastics2Olefins project, developing cutting-edge technology to produce circular polymers with a reduced carbon footprint, supported by renewable energy integration and digitalization.

As a multi-energy company with a global presence, Repsol meets all the energy needs of its customers both at home and on the move. It employs 25,000 people in more than twenty countries and has 24 million customers. Repsol is transforming its six industrial complexes on the Iberian Peninsula into multi-energy hubs, capable of treating a wide variety of raw materials and waste to manufacture products with a low carbon footprint, such as 100% renewable fuels, which will be key to achieving its goal of being a zero net emissions company by 2050, or the production of 100% circular polymers.

The main goal of Repsol is to become a net-zero emissions company by 2050, in line with the targets set out in the Paris Agreement. The circular economy strategy of Repsol was approved in 2016 and is incorporated within the Company Strategic Plan, reinforcing its sustainability strategy and its commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Repsol

For its deployment, Repsol uses its circular economy model which is based on:

  • Four pillars: Eco-design, process efficiency and innovation, renewable energy and alternative raw materials, and new consumption patterns.
  • Three drivers: Repsol Technology Lab, alliances, and digitalization.

Repsol’s Role in Plastics2Olefins

Repsol is coordinating the project Plastics2Olefins, through which a new technology for chemical recycling of plastic wastes is being developed. This technology will produce circular polymers with a significant reduction of carbon footprint compared to the state-of-the-art technologies based on chemical recycling.

The Plastics2Olefins pilot plant is located at Repsol Technology Lab in Madrid, Spain.

The Plastics2Olefins technology is being developed in its first phase on a pilot plant scale located at Repsol Technology Lab, where the different technological stages of the process are being validated and optimized. The integration of renewable energy in the process is being optimized to ensure the maximum reduction of carbon footprint of the technology. Repsol will scale up the technology during the second phase of the project. To this end, a demonstration plant will be installed at one of the petrochemical sites of Repsol in Iberia to validate the technology in an industrial environment.

Project Status and Progress

Currently, Repsol is working on the final optimization of the technology at the pilot plant scale to define the final design that should be considered in the engineering of the demo plant. It is critical to validate all aspects of the design in the pilot plant before defining the design of the demo plant and to incorporate in the final design the lessons learned from experimentation at the pilot plant.

The pilot plant, where a new technology for chemical recycling of plastic waste is being developed.

Repsol is also working on the digitalization of the technology through the development of a digital twin of Plastics2Olefins to simulate and monitor process dynamics, enabling the identification of the optimal operating conditions that maximize the production of final circular olefins.

So far, the Plastics2Olefins project has achieved the following:

  • Successfully implementing the pyrolysis technology and the pilot plant is running
  • Operational testing is ongoing despite the complexity of the technology
  • Promising outcomes have emerged from the project
  • Techno-economic analyses and various mathematical optimization models have been developed and tested

Driving Innovation in Circular Economy: Plastics2Olefins Project Advances at GA in Alicante

Watch photos from the 6th General Assembly in Alicante and visit to ACTECO’s facilities.

The Plastics2Olefins project gathered for its sixth General Assembly (GA) on November 20-21, 2024, in Alicante, Spain.

Hosted by ACTECO, the two-day meeting highlighted the progress made by the consortium in key technical work packages. The partners discussed challenges, agreed on solutions, and outlined next steps in the project’s goal towards transforming plastic waste into valuable resources. The event concluded with a valued visit to ACTECO’s state-of-the-art facilities, showcasing processes and know-hows implemented within the project and beyond.

“Important insights have been acquired in this gathering that will feed into the concept and design of the Plastics2Olefins demo plant,” comments Raquel Moreno from ARTTIC Innovation.

Day 1 Highlights: Technical Progress

Rebeca Yuste (coordinator from REPSOL) and Ángel Martinez (ACTECO) opened the meeting with a warm welcome and overview of the participants’ schedule. Further, the Work Package (WP) and task leads presented the progress on their respective tasks and activities and main achievements within the last period.

  • WP1 – Project Coordination: Raquel Moreno (ARTTIC) provided an overview of WP1 objectives and tasks, including strategic decision-making, administrative management, and scientific and technical management. Key points of discussion from this WP included the review of changes to the upcoming amendment, and the development of a new data management plan collector and the upcoming interim report.
  • WP2 – Pyrolysis Optimization: Julio Perez (ACTECO) and Curro Artillo (REPSOL) discussed the identification and supply of pre-treated materials, problems with water content in materials, and the impact of caustic scrubber on pyrolysis gas. They also discussed the potential solutions to the challenges, presented pyrolysis results and also discussed the next steps.
  • WP3 – Downstream Process Optimisation: Michal Jeremias (VTT) presented an overview of WP3, including tasks related to the revalorisation of heavy tar-like fractions (CIEMAT), purifying gas (VTT), and char characterisation (LHE). Key points of discussion included the impact of water content on chloromethane adsorption and the use of char in cement plants.
  • WP4 – Digitalisation and Renewable Energies Integration: Prashanth Nadukandi (REPSOL) and Noemi González Cobos (REPSOL) discussed the simulations done about the pyrolysis reactor and development of a planning tool for renewable energy integration including the validation of the tool within Repsol Tech Lab’s facilities.
  • WP5 – Technical Integration and Engineering: Pablo de Hoyos and Bernardo Herrera (TRSA) provided an overview of WP5 objectives, including design basis, conceptual and basic engineering of the demo plant, and the review of tasks, deliverables, and milestones. They discussed the definition of the feeding system and the start conceptual engineering of the demo plant.
  • WP7 – Sustainability Assessment and Replicability Potentials: Mikolaj Owsianiak (DTU) presented a brief overview of WP7 progress, including the initiation of tasks related to life cycle assessment (LCA) and the need for data confirmation from technical partners, Cost-benefit analysis and prefeasibility study on replication potential (lead by SIN).
  • WP8 – Exploitation, Communications, Dissemination & Training: Alemu Belay (SIN) presented an overview of tasks and deliverables achievements. Key points included the status of communication and development of the dissemination materials, the development of learning modules, and the review of KPIs.

Day 2 Highlights: ACTECO’s Facilities Tour

On the second day we had a fruitful visit to ACTECO’s cutting-edge facilities in Almansa and Ibi, where we saw firsthand how they’re transforming plastic waste into valuable materials to be taken to the Repsol plant to go through an innovative pyrolysis process to obtain olefins.

“We saw first-hand waste storage, processes and final products processed in ACTECO’s facilities, which will contribute having a feasible concept and design of the Plastics2Olefins demo plant,” says REPSOL coordinator Rebeca Yuste.

Exciting things ahead as we continue working together to drive sustainability and create a more circular economy!

Plastics2Olefins General Assembly 2024: Advancing Plastic Recycling with 100% Renewable Energy

The Plastics2Olefins project, an EU-funded initiative, held its fifth General Assembly in Madrid, Spain, in June.

This milestone event brought together project partners and experts to assess the project’s progress and discuss the next steps in creating a demonstration plant at Repsol’s Puertollano site.

The Plastics2Olefins project partners.

Designed to recycle unsorted plastic waste into high-value materials, the Plastics2Olefins demonstration plant will be powered exclusively by renewable energy and is set to pioneer a new era in sustainable waste management.

Key Meeting Highlights

Technical Progress & Innovations
Throughout the two-day event, updates were provided on each of the project’s Work Packages, marking significant milestones in the journey to advance circular solutions for plastic waste. Noteworthy progress included:

  • Project Coordination: ARTTIC provided an update on reporting and coordination milestones for the current period.
  • Pre-treatment and Pyrolysis Optimization: ETIA and REPSOL presented advancements in optimizing plastic waste pre-treatment and pyrolysis processes.
  • Downstream Process Optimization: VTT discussed recent progress on downstream processing, focused on refining the quality of output.
  • Digitalization and Renewable Energy Integration: REPSOL shared developments on integrating digital solutions and renewable energy into the demonstration plant.
  • Sustainability Assessment: DTU led discussions on assessing the plant’s environmental impact and evaluating its scalability.

Strategic Focus: Replicability and Innovation
Beyond technical progress, the consortium discussed long-term goals of sustainability and scalability. Focused on replicability, the project aims to serve as a model for similar facilities worldwide, demonstrating that waste-to-material conversion can be economically and environmentally viable on a larger scale. Topics like intellectual property, technical synergies, and regulatory compliance were addressed to ensure streamlined growth.

Networking and Partnership
The meeting also fostered networking among partners, strengthening collaborative ties. In addition to formal sessions, an informal dinner at Restaurante Casa Mono enabled partners to exchange ideas in a relaxed setting.

Facility Visits
On Day 2, attendees toured CIEMAT’s laboratories, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies that will support Plastics2Olefins. The visit underscored the project’s commitment to research-driven innovation and real-time applications that can impact the waste management sector at large.

Dr. Alemu Belay is Head of Energy Systems at Smart Innovation Norway and Work Package 8 leader.

Looking Ahead

As Plastics2Olefins continues, the team remains dedicated to delivering actionable solutions that embody the EU’s commitment to sustainability. This upcoming demonstration plant at Puertollano is not just a technological achievement; it’s a critical step in transforming waste management and promoting circularity in the plastics industry.

“It is exciting to see the progress of the project and the advancement of chemical recycling technology to tackle a crucial global challenge,” comments Dr. Alemu Belay, Head of Energy Systems at Smart Innovation Norway. He leads Work Package 8: Exploitations, communications, dissemination & training, as well as two tasks in Work Package 7: Sustainability assessment and replicability potentials.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Plastics2Olefins project and the pilot plant at Repsol Technology Lab:

Plastics2Olefins partners ready for next steps

During the fourth General Assembly of the Plastics2Olefins project in Madrid, Spain, the partners discussed the progress of the project and assessed results achieved during the last 18 months.

Plastics2Olefins is a project with a clear vision of circular economy and advancement of recycling technology through optimisation of the upstream processes waste (heterogeneous plastic waste).

The project will develop a novel plastics recycling process based on high temperature pyrolysis. This process reduces the lifecycle GHG emissions by more than 70% compared to existing plastics recycling processes for unsorted plastic waste, and by more than 80% compared to current end-of-life options for these wastes, i.e., incineration.

Pilot visit

As a part of the project milestone and continuous assessment of the project status, Repsol hosted the fourth general assembly of the Plastics2Olefins project, which was held on November 21-22, 2023, at the Repsol facility in Madrid, Spain. All partners gathered to discuss the results achieved in the last 18 months, and each partner shared the status of all activities and visited the installation and engineering work of the pilot plant at Repsol Technology Lab.

The Plastics2Olefins Consortium.
The Plastics2Olefins Consortium.

The pyrolysis pilot plant started to run in 2023 with the goal of demonstrating the Plastics2Olefins technology, testing different qualities of plastic wastes and optimizing the operating conditions to maximize the production of circular olefins.  The pilot aims to be an industrial application of the project on a medium scale. It uses renewable energy and won’t need permanent human supervision. Furthermore, it can be operated economically and already supports the goal achievement of the European Green Deal.

Visit to the pilot plant at Repsol Technology Lab.
Visit to the pilot plant at Repsol Technology Lab.

Inspired partners

Currently, the project progressed significantly on the technical installation of pilot, carried out major engineering works and some preliminary tests have been conducted. Partners presented and discussed the status of the project in major activities of all work packages, technical discussions and visited the pilot plant. The pilot is set up completely and several test runs were already performed. More than 24 hours of continuous operation were achieved. During the test runs, several issues were located and resolved.

In general, from the visit, all partners were inspired to contribute for the next steps of the project and put a concrete plan to execute the upcoming project phases.

During 2024, the validation of the technology will be done carrying out long duration trials for the demonstration of the reliability of the integration of the different stages of the technology.

The pilot will be continuously improved according to the results of the Plastics2Olefins project. The consortium is aiming to achieve a fully automated and uninterrupted operation.  After that it will start the scaling up of the technology with the engineering activities and phases of the Plastics2Olefins demo plant that will have a capacity of 8000 t/y of plastic wastes.