Dow has announced an agreement with French recycling company Valoregen to contribute to building the largest single hybrid recycling site in France, to be owned and operated by Valoregen.
The collaboration is a further example of how Dow is working with companies across Europe and around the world to invest in innovative new recycling solutions, accelerate circularity and tackle the issue of plastics waste.
Fabrice Digonnet, mechanical recycling strategy leader for Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics said, “We are delighted to work with Valoregen on this innovative new project that can help give recycling in Europe a real boost. Recycling rates for plastics are still far too low and we need to help scale the technology and ensure a viable market for plastics waste.”
“Our investment will help increase mechanical recycling rates and in doing so, help accelerate a circular economy for plastics and reduce carbon emissions. We are excited to offer our investment and expertise on this ground-breaking initiative, while continuing to scale up circularity solutions for our customers,” added Digonnet.
The project is expected to be operational and delivering recycled materials at the end of the first quarter of 2023. It aims to mark an important step in bringing together mechanical recycling (which processes certain plastic waste into secondary products) and newer, advanced recycling processes (which breaks down mixed, hard-to-recycle plastics into their original naphtha-like liquid form to manufacture new virgin-like polymers).
Talking on the collaboration, Thierry Perez, president of Valoregen said, “Dow’s collaboration and trust in Valoregen’s innovative and disruptive model has been key to the project’s success and we are pleased to formalise this partnership. Our committed team has developed a concrete, agile solution that contributes to the circular economy of plastics and advances decarbonisation. This next generation solution will achieve recycling for high-end technical packaging applications. We are delighted to work so closely with Dow towards circular solutions.”
By bringing these technologies under one roof, the plant will increase energy efficiency by enabling a yield greater than 80% (above the average conventional mechanical recycling efficiency of approximately 60-70%) and minimise waste with the energy management system.
Valoregen to also reduce the overall carbon emissions produced from these processes as it strives to limit the transportation of waste products to different sites.
Dow will be the main recipient of post-consumer resins, which it will use to develop new plastic products marketed under Dow’s REVOLOOP product range.
Mechanical recycling remains a significant element of Dow’s circularity strategy, including ensuring Valoregen can scale production to increase recycling in Europe. Mechanical recycling currently accounts for the vast majority of plastics recycling, however rates are still too low. Dow will continue to work with Valoregen to fully develop the ecosystem with advanced recycling. The site has been authorized by the classified installation for the protection of the environment (I.C.P.E. – Installation Classée pour la Protection de l’Environnement).
The investment was structured and led by Dow Venture Capital and aims to commit to incorporate at least 100,000 tonnes of recycled plastics in its product offerings sold in the European Union by 2025.
Other initiatives taken by Dow to promote sustainability
- Close the Loop: By 2035, Dow to help “close the loop” by having 100% of its products sold into packaging applications be reusable or recyclable. Currently 85% of its products fit this category.
- Protect the Climate: By 2030, Dow will reduce its net annual carbon emissions by 5 million metric tons, or 15% from its 2020 baseline. Additionally, Dow intends to be carbon neutral by 2050, in alignment with the Paris Agreement.
- Stop the Waste: By 2030, Dow will help “stop the waste” by enabling 1 million metric tons of plastic to be collected, reused or recycled through its direct actions and collaborations. The company is investing and collaborating in key technologies and infrastructure to significantly increase global recycling.