On the 27th of June, Ketjen hosted a webinar for the Go Circular Talks audience. In this webinar, Jaap Bergwerff, Business Development Director of Renewables at Ketjen, explored the pivotal role of catalysts in the chemical recycling of waste plastics and the broader shift from fossil oil to renewable sources for fuel and chemical production.

Source: Go Circular Talks

The webinar was divided into three main sections, starting with an introduction to Ketjen, a leading supplier of catalyst technology formerly known as Albemarle Catalyst. Ketjen has a global presence, with production facilities in Amsterdam and Houston, and joint ventures in Brazil and Japan.

The company’s expertise in designing and applying hydroprocessing and fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts was emphasised, showcasing its capability to support the industry's shift to renewable streams like biomass and waste plastics.

The second section delved into the chemical recycling of waste plastics. Traditional plastic lifecycles rely heavily on crude oil, resulting in significant waste. The webinar discussed various recycling strategies, including mechanical recycling and solvolysis, but emphasised thermochemical recycling for its potential to handle a broader range of waste streams.

Thermochemical recycling involves breaking down waste plastics into oil or gas, upgrading and purifying these streams, and finally valorising the products. Catalytic solutions, such as catalytic pyrolysis and BioBTX’s process, are highlighted for their efficiency in converting waste plastics into valuable feedstocks and renewable aromatics.

The final section focused on the hydroprocessing of waste plastic oils, a critical step in producing suitable feedstocks for steam crackers. This process faces challenges, including handling and storage issues and high impurity levels. However, with proper catalyst design, these challenges can be effectively addressed, maximizing the yield and quality of the final products.

Overall, the webinar underscores the catalyst's role in maximising the value extracted from chemical recycling processes and supporting the industry's transition to more sustainable practices.

By leveraging its extensive experience and innovative catalyst solutions, Ketjen aims to help refineries and petrochemical producers replace fossil oil with renewable sources, contributing to a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable future.