NOVA Chemicals explores feasibility of advanced recycling facility in Ontario

NOVA Chemicals Corporation and Plastic Energy will explore the feasibility of developing a pyrolysis-driven advanced recycling facility in Sarnia, Ontario. If constructed, NOVA Chemicals says that the facility would be the largest of its kind in Canada with a potential initial capacity of 66 kilotons per annum.

"Post-use plastics offer tremendous value to furthering the circular economy, and our teams at NOVA Chemicals work daily to innovate new and collaborative ways to extend the lifecycle of our products and plastic packaging," said Greg DeKunder, vice president of NOVA Circular Solutions. "This agreement with Plastic Energy is a prime example of two companies working together to create timely, effective, and sustainable solutions that will help us make progress towards our 2030 recycled plastics ambitions while diverting hard-to-recycle segments of plastic waste away from landfills."

Plastic Energy is an advanced recycler that uses its TAC process to treat post-consumer plastic waste. Recycled polyethylene manufactured using Plastic Energy-produced feedstock, called TACOIL, has identical properties to virgin polyethylene and can be used in food contact and high-performance applications, helping manufacturers and packagers achieve their recycled content goals. Plastic Energy has two commercial recycling plants in Spain that have been in operation for seven years, alongside new projects in Europe and Asia.

"We are pleased to sign this agreement with NOVA Chemicals to explore the scope for our first advanced recycling project in Canada," said Carlos Monreal, founder and CEO of Plastic Energy. "Advanced recycling will continue to be important for the North American market by providing a solution for incorporating recycled content into food-grade packaging. Together with NOVA Chemicals, we aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills, incineration, or as leakage into the environment, which is important for the circular economy in Canada."

If built, this new facility would see NOVA Chemicals build on its already CAD $2 billion investment into Ontario to inject additional new technology, jobs, and long-term viability into the local and Canadian economies.