INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, has agreed with Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller, a recognised leader in dairy products, to collaborate on developing a circular solution for polystyrene based on chemical recycling.

The joint project between INEOS Styrolution and Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller focuses on the use of polystyrene that is recycled via depolymerisation, a process that converts post-consumer polystyrene waste back to its monomers. The advantage of this process is the generation of high-quality virgin polystyrene ultimately for food-related use. In other words, yoghurt cups made of recycled polystyrene will have the identical properties as yoghurt cups made of conventional polystyrene.

INEOS Styrolution and Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller have agreed on a phased approach with a lab-scale phase to start this year, a pilot-scale phase starting in 2020 and a commercial-scale phase in 2022.

As an internationally operating food company, Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller is continuously investigating technological opportunities that offer potential with regard to a circular economy.

Sven Riechers, Vice President Business Management, Standard Business EMEA at INEOS Styrolution adds: “We are very excited to join forces with a leading market player like Unternehmensgruppe Theo Müller. We are looking forward to a speedy and agile collaboration resulting in innovative solutions that may serve as an example in the industry.”

Today’s announcement is part of INEOS Styrolution’s ambitious efforts aiming at circularity for styrenics to save valuable resources, recycle styrenic waste and reduce the ecological footprint. The company’s efforts include research projects, collaboration across the value chain and partnerships with customers to optimise solutions concerning sustainability aspects.

Recycling

Together with leading-edge collaboration partners worldwide, INEOS Styrolution creates and invests into recycling concepts for a wide range of styrenic products, like e.g. chemical recycling of polystyrene, taking advantage of the unique properties of the polymer.

Saving valuable resources

INEOS Styrolution is committed to saving our planet’s resources. Our contributions range from developing specialty materials (e.g. ABS or composites, to allow for reducing weight resulting in lower fuel consumption and lower emissions) to renewable feedstock (to allow for reducing the use of fossil feedstock).

Reducing environmental footprint

INEOS Styrolution is committed to resource-efficient operations introducing for example continuous improvements related to recycling of waste and a footprint reduction related to water and waste-water.

INEOS Styrolution is considered a best-in-class company, being awarded an Ecovadis gold rating, based on the company’s sustainability programme and sustainability report, scoring among the top 5% of all suppliers tracked by Ecovadis – and among the top 1% of plastic producers.