INEOS Starts Production of Virgin-Quality Recycled Plastics at Lavera, France

INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has begun producing virgin-quality recycled plastics at its Lavera facility in southern France, after modifying the site to process pyrolysis oil derived from post-consumer plastic waste. This achievement places INEOS at the forefront of advanced recycling in Europe.

Located near Marseille, the Lavera cracker recently received its first shipment of pyrolysis oil – a feedstock produced by breaking down plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled. This oil is now being used to produce recycled ethylene and propylene, which are further converted into high-performance polyethylene and polypropylene. These recycled polymers will be manufactured at INEOS plants in Lavera and Sarralbe in France, as well as in Rosignano, Italy.

This initiative aligns with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which requires at least 10% recycled content in plastic packaging for food contact, medical, and other sensitive applications by 2030. INEOS stated that the new recycled grades are suitable for demanding uses such as closures, milk bottles, and water pipes.

The recycled products are certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme, ensuring traceability of recycled feedstocks through mass balance accounting. Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, said the company’s investment in advanced recycling complements mechanical recycling and is crucial for achieving true circularity in plastics. He added that converting the Lavera cracker and securing a reliable pyrolysis oil supply demonstrate INEOS' commitment to supporting customers in meeting strict EU regulations and their own sustainability goals.

INEOS also plans to expand its circular economy initiatives by partnering with others to scale its Recycl-IN hybrid polymers and its pilot line for fully recyclable MDO films.

In April 2024, INEOS acquired full ownership of the Lavera petrochemical site, which was previously operated as a joint venture with TotalEnergies. As one of Europe’s largest facilities, Lavera now plays a central role in INEOS’ mission to produce sustainable and circular plastics at scale.

Fair use Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles are that of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Rosefield B2B. The images featured in this newsletter have been generated using AI for illustrative purposes. They do not represent real  Products.

The detailed article published by https://www.ineos.com/ can be accessed from https://www.ineos.com/news/shared-news/ineos-olefins--polymers-europe-launches-new-advanced-recycled-plastic-production-at-its-lavera-site-in-southern-france/