NOVA Chemicals and Enerkem advance commercialization of chemical recycling technology

NOVA Chemicals Corporation and Enerkem Inc. are advancing the companies' energy-efficient chemical recycling technology to the pilot stage in Edmonton, Alberta, thanks in part to CDN$4.5 million in funding from Alberta Innovates.

The funding, provided through Alberta Innovates' Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction ("TIER") economic recovery program, has enabled the companies to expedite the construction of a pilot-scale reactor system that converts syngas produced from used, non-recyclable and non-compostable plastics to feedstocks for virgin-grade plastics.

The team has been working to achieve lower greenhouse gas emissions while accelerating the upgrading process for waste materials.

"By taking waste streams that are otherwise non-recyclable, we can complement mechanical recycling efforts and provide an important solution to close the gap between recycling targets and the important role plastics play in our daily lives," said Michel Chornet, executive vice president of engineering, innovation, and operations at Enerkem. "The project aims to expand the types of materials that can be recycled and increase recycling rates while reducing emissions from incineration and landfill and keeping plastic out of the environment. It is a significant step in realizing the vision of the circular economy."

The project uses the gasification knowledge of Enerkem and NOVA Chemicals' petrochemicals and plastic manufacturing experience to position Alberta to help in the development of a circular economy by diverting waste from landfills, creating value-added products, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.