Neste, Alterra, and Technip Energies have entered into a collaboration agreement aimed at enhancing the circularity of plastics by offering the industry a standardized technological solution for chemical recycling, also known as "advanced recycling."

Source: Neste

The partners plan to provide a globally standardized modular solution that leverages Alterra's proprietary liquefaction technology, targeting those interested in expanding their chemical recycling capabilities. This innovative solution will consist of pre-designed and engineered liquefaction plant modules, which will facilitate lower initial investment costs, faster implementation timelines, predictable project economics, and reduced overall capital expenses. By supporting more efficient execution of chemical recycling capacity projects, this solution aims to lessen the industry's reliance on virgin fossil resources and promote the circularity of polymers and chemicals.

We have a proven technology for liquefaction that encompasses 15 years of research, development and improvement. Now we are reducing the hurdles for companies interested in investing in liquefaction. We are ultimately enabling a copy-paste solution for liquefaction plants, allowing for a fast scale-up of economically viable recycling capacities globally.

Alterra’s technology employs a thermochemical liquefaction process that transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into a liquid hydrocarbon product. This liquid intermediate can then be refined into high-quality raw materials for the production of new plastics and chemicals. To date, Neste has processed over 6,000 tons of plastic-derived feeds, which includes ISCC PLUS certified oil sourced from Alterra’s industrial-scale facility in Akron, Ohio.

There is strong demand for more sustainable solutions, and we are ready to serve this demand. We have already established our role in processing circular feedstocks into high-quality raw materials for the petrochemicals industry, and our ambition is to grow these processed volumes over the upcoming months and years. We are therefore looking forward to offering a robust and easy-to-deploy liquefaction technology to also contribute to meeting our own increasing demand for liquefied waste plastic.

Uniting the Expertise of Three Companies in One Solution

Alterra and Neste began their collaboration in chemical recycling in 2021, enhancing various elements of Alterra's technology and establishing valuable supply chains. In 2022, Alterra partnered with Technip Energies to further advance chemical recycling efforts. Now, these three companies are joining forces for a distinctive initiative: Alterra and Neste will license the liquefaction technology, while Technip Energies will handle the design, engineering, and delivery of the standardized liquefaction plant solution to interested parties worldwide.