At the 8th General Assembly in Madrid, Plastics2Olefins partners gathered to push the boundaries of circular innovation and accelerate progress toward industrial-scale chemical recycling.

The Plastics2Olefins consortium met on 20 November 2025 for its 8th General Assembly (GA), hosted by Repsol at the state-of-the-art Repsol Technology Lab in Móstoles, Madrid.

• Read also: Accelerating Circular Innovation: Plastics2Olefins General Assembly #7 Held in Madrid

The meeting brought together project partners from across Europe and Thailand to review progress, align on technical developments, and plan the next steps toward transforming plastic waste into high-value olefins.

With a full programme including work package presentations, in-depth discussions, and a guided pilot plant visit, the GA#8 marked another important milestone in the project’s journey.

Morning Highlights: Reviewing Progress Across Work Packages

The meeting opened with a welcome from the project coordinator Rebeca Yuste (Repsol) before partners presented updates from the last six months, results achieved, and upcoming activities.

The morning session featured contributions from all technical and management work packages (WP):

• WP1 – Project Coordination (PNO Innovation)
• WP2 – Pre-treatment and Pyrolysis Optimisation (Repsol)
• WP3 – Downstream Process Optimisation (CIEMAT)
• WP4 – Digitalisation and Renewable Energy Integration (Repsol)
• WP5 – Technical Integration and Engineering (Técnicas Reunidas)
• WP7 – Sustainability Assessment & Replicability (DTU)
• WP8 – Exploitation, Communication & Dissemination (SIN)

Partners discussed key achievements, remaining technical challenges, pilot progress, downstream optimisation tasks, sustainability modelling, and engineering design for the future demonstration plant.

Visiting the Repsol Technology Lab and Pilot Plant

A highlight of the day was the guided tour of the Repsol Technology Lab and the Plastics2Olefins pilot plant, offering partners a firsthand look at the technological advances driving the project.

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

Seeing the ongoing work on pyrolysis, gas cleaning, condensation systems, and process integration provided valuable insights into the next steps required for scaling the technology toward demonstration level.

Afternoon Deep Dive: Lessons Learned and Strategic Alignment

In the afternoon, partners engaged in an intensive review session covering Periodic Report learnings, Description of Action compliance, resource use by WP, and financial status across beneficiaries.

The open discussion format allowed partners to align on:

• Cross-WP technical dependencies
• Data needs for upcoming reports
• Key bottlenecks and research requirements
• Preparations for upcoming evaluations and project milestones

Reflecting on the work ahead, partners acknowledged both the complexity and the ambition of the project. As one participant noted:

“This is one of the complex projects with high ambition that needs detailed engineering work, good knowledge of techno-economics analysis, and deeper regulations.”

The session concluded with agreement on action points, next steps, and expectations to continue the project implementation.

Looking Ahead: Commitment to Collaboration and Impact

The 8th General Assembly underscored the strong collaboration and shared ambition across the Plastics2Olefins consortium. While significant progress has been made in pilot plant development, sustainability modelling, engineering design, and digital integration, partners also highlighted the need for intensified research and continued alignment.

• See also: Plastics2Olefins videos

The consortium remains committed to delivering a robust, scalable chemical recycling process capable of converting complex plastic waste into valuable olefins. This will contribute to Europe’s transition toward a more circular, resource-efficient, and climate-neutral future.

From renewable energy to sustainable waste management, University of Castilla-La Mancha is educating the next generation of engineers and innovators—while actively contributing to the Plastics2Olefins project’s mission of building a circular economy.

Founded in 1982 and welcoming its first students in 1985, University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) was established to provide higher education across the Castilla-La Mancha region.

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

Today, the university serves more than 31,000 students—including 28,264 undergraduates and 3,196 postgraduates—across seven campuses in Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Toledo, Talavera de la Reina, and Almadén.

UCLM offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in all major disciplines. Research has become a cornerstone of UCLM’s development, with institutes specializing in science, engineering, law, and health.

A Regional University with Global Impact

“Our scientific output is indexed in leading databases and shows a growing citation impact,” explains José María Monteagudo, Full Professor in Chemical Engineering, noting that the university’s work is increasingly recognized in global rankings such as THE and QS (regional category).

Collaboration is central to UCLM’s success. The university works closely with hospitals, industries, and public institutions, while actively participating in national and EU-funded projects to foster innovation.

Through programs like Erasmus and global partnerships, UCLM promotes internationalization and knowledge exchange, ensuring that students and researchers can develop their training.

“Together, these achievements confirm UCLM’s development as a regionally rooted institution with increasing research impact, innovation, and international visibility,” adds Monteagudo.

UCLM’s Role in Plastics2Olefins

Within the Plastics2Olefins project, UCLM’s IMAES research group has organized a series of workshops on “Decarbonization Technologies for Waste Valorization”. Delivered in collaboration with project partner Repsol, these workshops provide master’s students and professionals with cutting-edge training in waste-to-resource technologies.

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

The program covers Gasification, Pyrolysis, Anaerobic Digestion, and Fermentation, and participation is recognized with 1 ECTS credit.

“The target audience included master’s students in Industrial or Chemical Engineering from any university, as well as professionals seeking to develop or strengthen their training in this field,” says Monteagudo.

Educating the Next Generation for a Circular Economy

By integrating Plastics2Olefins activities into its teaching, UCLM prepares future engineers to lead the transition to a circular economy.

“This initiative reflects UCLM’s commitment to sustainability and its contribution to advancing European decarbonization goals,” concludes Monteagudo.

Through its strong research culture, international partnerships, and dedication to sustainability, UCLM is proving how universities can drive meaningful change—making it a vital partner in the Plastics2Olefins project and a key contributor to Europe’s green transition.

As a key partner in the Plastics2Olefins project, Acteco applies its advanced pre-treatment capabilities to prepare plastic waste for cutting-edge chemical recycling technologies, helping transform previously non-recyclable plastics into valuable resources.

With nearly 30 years of expertise in industrial waste management, plastic recycling, and environmental consultancy, Acteco is driving Spain’s transition towards a more circular and resilient economy.

In a context of growing geopolitical tension, energy vulnerability, and climate crisis, the circular economy and renewable fuels stand out as two essential pillars for strengthening Spain’s strategic autonomy. In a country where external energy dependence exceeds 70%, it is urgent to transform the production model into one that is more resilient, sustainable, and capable of generating economic and social value within the territory.

Leading the Way in Spanish Waste Management

Over the past three decades, Acteco has established itself as a leading company in comprehensive waste management, plastic recycling, and environmental consultancy, offering sustainable solutions to businesses across all sectors. Its commitment to the circular economy and technological innovation positions it as a benchmark in the treatment of industrial and commercial waste.

Acteco stands out not only for its technical expertise in advanced recycling, but also for its national infrastructure, which includes more than 10 transfer and treatment plants strategically located across Spain. Thanks to this network, the company manages over 145,000 tonnes of industrial waste annually, including 63,000 tonnes of recovered hazardous waste and 32,000 tonnes of recycled plastic, making it a key player in the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient production model.

“We are present in more than 10 Spanish provinces, where we operate transfer plants to manage waste. All of this is made possible thanks to a large fleet that enables us to work across the entire national territory. These facilities allow us to offer nationwide coverage, optimise waste logistics, and ensure an efficient and legally compliant service for both hazardous and non-hazardous waste,” says Julio Pérez, Business Developer at Acteco.

Acteco’s Role in Plastic2Olefins

In the Plastic2Olefins project, Acteco is involved in Work Package 2 (WP2), acting as the pre-treatment operator for the waste. With its extensive experience in the recycling sector, Acteco possesses in-depth knowledge of the best techniques for preparing waste according to the type of recycling to be carried out, whether mechanical or chemical.

Moreover, as an industrial waste manager, Acteco is also working in parallel on identifying potential waste streams that currently cannot be recycled through mechanical means.

“Once the waste is tested and validated by our partner Repsol, it will become a new source of raw material suitable for recycling, which will increase recycling rates and contribute to the production of circular polyolefins,” explains Pérez.

From Complex Plastics to Valuable Resources

The Plastics2Olefins project represents an innovative and complementary solution to traditional mechanical recycling, especially for complex or contaminated plastic waste that cannot be processed using conventional methods.

Through technologies such as pyrolysis, this waste is broken down, enabling the production of new plastic materials or alternative fuels.

“This process significantly contributes to reducing plastic waste in landfills, decreases dependence on fossil resources, and supports the decarbonisation of industry by closing the material life cycle. Furthermore, it allows value to be recovered from plastic fractions that were previously considered non-recyclable, driving a more efficient and sustainable circular economy,” concludes Pérez.

As a key enabler of effective project execution, PNO Innovation GmbH supports the Plastics2Olefins project with expert guidance in grant administration, compliance, and strategic coordination. With decades of experience in European R&I funding, the consulting company helps ensure that the project meets the highest standards of quality, accountability, and impact.

PNO Innovation Germany (formerly ARTTIC Innovation) is a one-stop-shop consultancy based in Germany, specializing in public funding, research and innovation (R&I) project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

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The company has supported innovative organisations and leading scientists for more than 40 years in navigating the European and national funding ecosystems. According to their own website, PNO Innovation is the reliable partner to work towards improving global health, promoting energy efficiency, safe and clean mobility and aviation, in making societies more resilient, secure, and inclusive and European defence capabilities stronger.

As an integral part of the PNO Group, the company is fully committed to their research clients and partners:

“We are passionate about their ambitions and help them to innovate and tackle global societal challenges. What unites us all is the desire and ability to innovate sustainably.”

Strategic Backbone for Management and Compliance

Within the Plastics2Olefins project, PNO Innovation brings strategic expertise in grant administration, financial supervision, and supporting project management services.

“Our role includes assisting the project coordinator with accurate budget and effort monitoring, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, and maintaining high standards in periodic and final reporting and reviews towards the European Commission,” explains Raquel Moreno, Expert Consultant at PNO Innovation.

By delivering robust quality assurance assistance throughout the project lifecycle, her company helps strengthen the integrity and efficiency of all administrative and financial processes.

“Our services and guidance are designed to support the consortium in achieving high-quality results, fostering synergies that contribute to the project’s success and long-term sustainability,” ensures Moreno.

Delivering Results: Reporting and Reviews

The Plastics2Olefins project recently passed a significant milestone: the submission of its second periodic report. With the dedicated coordination support of PNO Innovation, all project partners were able to submit high-quality technical documentation and reporting, indicating their accomplishments in accordance with the European Commission’s reporting standards.

“Our guidance ensures compliance with formal requirements and helps position the consortium for continued success in the upcoming phases of the project,” says Moreno.

• Read also: Presenting the Partners: PreZero – Environmental solutions for a cleaner future

PNO Innovation also played a key role in supporting the preparation of the consortium for the successful second review meeting, conducted by the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) at the end of June.

“The review evaluated the progress made to date and the mid-term results, with particular attention to technical advancements and alignment with the project’s strategic objectives,” summarises Moreno.

As the project advances toward its next stages, PNO Innovation continues to ensure that the administrative and financial foundations remain strong.

The Plastics2Olefins (P2O) consortium convened for its 7th General Assembly on June 11, 2025, hosted by Técnicas Reunidas in Madrid, Spain.

Held at the ADEQUA complex, the meeting brought together project partners from across Europe and our partner in Thailand to share progress, discuss key technical developments, and align on the next steps for the project’s ambitious goal: transforming plastic waste into high-value olefins.

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

The day featured detailed presentations from work package leaders, open discussions on project challenges and breakthroughs, and a dedicated rehearsal session for the upcoming project review meeting.

“This gathering marked a turning point as we align on final integration and testing steps before moving into the demonstration phase,” says Raquel Moreno, Expert Consultant at PNO Innovation.

Morning Highlights: WP Progress and Strategic Outlook

The morning began with a warm welcome and project overview by our project coordinator Rebeca Yuste (Repsol). Presentations then focused on technical progress across several key areas:

• WP1 – Project Coordination: Raquel Moreno, from PNO Innovation, highlighted administrative updates and strategic coordination, including the upcoming periodic report #2 and reporting timeline, with an outline of the review meeting with HaDEA (EC).
• WP2 – Pre-treatment and Pyrolysis Optimisation:  Maité Huron (ETIA) as WP leader and other partners involved in the WP presented progress in feedstock preparation and optimization of pyrolysis conditions.
• WP3 – Downstream Process Optimisation: Michal Jeremias (VTT) shared advancements in revalorisation of tar-like fractions and purification of pyrolysis gases.
• WP4 – Digitalisation and Renewable Energy Integration: Prasanth Nadukandi and Noemi González (Repsol) demonstrated digital tools for process simulation and renewable energy planning.
• WP5 – Technical Integration and Engineering: Bernardo Herrera (TRSA) discussed the conceptual design and basic integration strategy towards the demo plant.
• WP7 – Sustainability and Replicability Assessment: Marja Elina (DTU) presented ongoing work on LCA modelling and replication potential studies.
• WP8 – Exploitation, Communication, Dissemination, and Training: Alemu Belay (Smart Innovation Norway) updated on communication and dissemination activities and KPIs achievement, learning modules, IPR and exploitation.

Following the technical session, the group gathered for a networking business lunch.

Afternoon Rehearsal Session: Preparing for What’s Next

The afternoon focused on an intensive Review Meeting rehearsal session led by WP and task leaders. The session allowed teams to align timing for the upcoming review and prepare communication of technical insights across the consortium.

The day concluded with a wrap-up session by Rebeca Yuste and Raquel Moreno, summarizing open points, action items, and plans for upcoming meetings.

Strengthening Collaboration Beyond the Meeting Room

Later in the evening, participants gathered for a consortium dinner in central Madrid — offering an informal space for building stronger bonds across partner organisations and continuing fruitful technical and collaboration discussions.

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

With coordination tightening and technical integration progressing, the Plastics2Olefins project is now entering its next phase — laying the groundwork and contributing to Europe’s circular and climate-neutral future.

Plastics2Olefins is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101058032.

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.

“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.

• Read also: Repsol Leads the Way in Chemical Recycling with Plastics2Olefins

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

“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.