First Green Ethylene Production Plant to Utilize Ethanol in Europe Takes a Major Step Forward

Europe: Syclus is all set to build and operate a plant in Geleen, Netherlands for the synthesis of renewable Ethylene using sustainable Ethanol. The company has selected Axens' Atol technology to support this ambitious project. This pioneering plant, which will produce 100,000 tonnes of renewable Ethylene per year, is the first of its kind in Europe and will be situated at the Chemelot Industrial Park in Geleen.

The project's partners have labelled Axens' proprietary Atol technology as a 'best-in-class catalyst' that will enable the plant to achieve cost-effective yields of Ethylene while minimising emissions. This technology ensures high efficiency, low energy consumption, and optimised use of process energy, resulting in superior product quality and safety performance. Igor Hensing, General Director of Syclus, confirmed the technology's benefits.

According to sources, Syclus' aim to establish a new standard in renewable Ethylene is reinforced by this partnership. In light of collaboration, Axens has demonstrated its alignment with Syclus' objective, and confident that have chosen the right partner for the successful design, construction, and operation of plant. Ethylene is a versatile product that finds use in various applications, including as a feedstock for producing Polyethylene, other polymers, as well as industrial chemicals such as Ethylene oxide, Ethylene glycol, and Ethylene dichloride.

The versatile polymers of Ethylene find extensive application in manufacturing products such as fibres, bins, pails, crates, bottles, piping, food packaging films, trash liners, bags, wire and cable sheathing, insulation, surface coatings for paper and cardboard, tile, and flooring for the building and construction industry. To create resins and plastics, ethylene is the fundamental building block.

Additionally, Ethylene serves as a precursor for producing multiple chemicals like antifreeze, solvents, surfactants, detergents, Polyglycols, and Ethanolamines. Jacques Rault, Executive Vice President Technology & Technical Support of Axens, stated that Atol has already established itself as a mature technology with five successful references worldwide. It gives us immense pleasure to be part of Atol's first European reference and feel privileged that Syclus chose us for this project.

Atol represents an eco-friendly and dependable technique and are convinced that it is the way forward for renewable Ethylene. The primary engineering phase is set to commence in late 2023, with production commencing in 2026. Syclus's partner company CropEnergies will produce Ethanol locally, necessary for the project, as they already operate a plant nearby dedicated to developing renewable Ethanol. The investment to be made towards the project is likely to exceed from €130million to $141million.