NEXTCHEM Secures EUR 4 Million EU Innovation Fund Grant for NXRe PMMA Scale-up

After being pre-selected in January, MAIRE announces that NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), via its subsidiaries NextChem Tech and MyRemono, has finalized the grant agreement under the EU's "Innovation Fund 3rd call for Small Scale projects." This agreement supports the BOOST project's implementation.

BOOST aims to establish an innovative industrial-scale facility using NXRe PMMA continuous modular technology developed by MyRemono, a subsidiary of NEXTCHEM specializing in plastic depolymerization. This technology facilitates the extraction of highly pure monomers from sorted plastic waste, specifically polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), through a continuous chemical recycling process.

The facility will initially process around 5,000 tons per year and yield approximately 4,345 tons per year of r-MMA, thus preventing the use of over 13,000 tons per year of fossil-based raw materials. Over its initial decade of operation, the plant anticipates achieving a 96% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions relative to the reference scenario.

The engineering phase for the pioneering industrial unit is nearing completion, with construction slated for conclusion in 2026. The project carries a total cost of EUR 6.6 million, with around EUR 4 million secured through EU funding.

BOOST has been selected as one of the 18 small-scale projects from 72 applicants in the EU's "Innovation Fund 3rd call for Small Scale projects," and notably, it is the only Italian project chosen within the chemical sector.

Mohammed Nafid, Managing Director of NextChem Tech, remarked: "This accomplishment underscores NEXTCHEM's robust technological value proposition. The scalability of NXRe PMMA across various sectors will enhance the manufacturing of sustainable plastic products, reducing reliance on fossil-based materials for intermediates and advancing towards a fully circular model."

Nextchem, as a central force within MAIRE, drives the energy transition with exceptional technological expertise. Leading advancements in hydrogen, carbon capture, and recycling technologies, Nextchem establishes new standards in the industry, accelerating MAIRE's path toward a sustainable economy. Nextchem drives the energy transition by implementing innovative and sustainable processes supported by their Sustainable Technology Solutions.

MAIRE S.p.A. leads a technology and engineering consortium committed to advancing solutions for the Energy Transition. The company provides Sustainable Technology Solutions and Integrated E&C Solutions across a wide range of sectors including nitrogen fertilizers, hydrogen, circular carbon, fuels, chemicals, and polymers. Operating worldwide, MAIRE creates value in 45 countries through a team of over 8,000 employees, with support from more than 20,000 individuals engaged in its global projects. With employees representing 76 nationalities and operations spanning 45 countries, Maire values its multicultural and diverse workforce as one of its most significant assets, alongside our over 1,500 engineering plants.