PureCycle Technologies, Inc. is a U.S.-based company. It revolutionizes plastic recycling. Today, it announced a collaboration. The partner is Landbell Group. This group operates more than 40 producer responsibility organizations (PROs) globally. It is a leading provider of closed-loop recycling solutions. The collaboration will help. It will prioritize the expansion of polypropylene (PP) waste upcycling. This upcycling will create high-purity, recycled PP. This recycled PP can be used in high-value and demanding applications across Europe.

PureCycle Belgium will use its innovative form of dissolution recycling. It will also use experience from PureCycle’s flagship plant. This plant is in Ironton, Ohio, USA. It is expected to have an annual capacity of 48,600 tonnes. This will happen once it is fully operational. PureCycle transforms polypropylene plastic. It becomes a versatile, replenishable resource. This happens through a unique purification process. The process involves multiple steps. The result is a PP-recyclate. It can serve as a drop-in replacement for virgin PP. PureCycle’s PureFive™ recyclate can be recycled and reused multiple times. It is already used in commercial applications in the USA.

In January 2024, PureCycle Belgium and Landbell Group began working together. Their goal is to enable the advanced recycling of PP waste in Europe. As part of this collaboration, Landbell Group will use its expertise. This expertise lies in the collection, sorting, and processing of plastics. These activities occur in several European countries. Landbell will supply the PP waste. This waste comes from its household collections. It will serve as feedstock for PureCycle's first European PP recycling plant. This plant is located in Antwerp, Belgium. It has an expected annual capacity of 59,000 tonnes. This capacity will be reached once the plant is constructed and operating.

PureCycle’s VP of European and Asia Pacific Operations is Wiebe Schipper. He stated, “Our collaboration with Landbell Group represents a significant step. It will advance plastic circularity in Europe. We feel proud to collaborate with another sustainably minded company. This company has a commitment to reducing plastic waste. It also aims to create a circular economy for plastics.” Schipper added another point. “PureCycle looks forward to collaborating with the Landbell Group. We work to make dissolution recycling more widely available throughout the region.”

Through this partnership with PureCycle, Landbell Group will ensure something. The thermoplastic polymer is widely used. It is used in the packaging industry. This includes food and beverage packaging. It also includes industrial and consumer goods packaging. This polymer will be redirected. It will go towards high-quality recycling. In this way, Landbell Group strengthens its commitment. This commitment is to the development of innovative recycling solutions. These solutions enable a circular economy.

Uwe Echteler is the COO of Landbell Group. He said, “By combining the innovative and robust approaches of PureCycle Technologies and Landbell Group in Europe, we will drive higher recycling rates. We will also produce high-quality recycled PP. This empowers producers. They can close the loop. They can also fulfill their new obligations from the PPWR.” This collaboration marks a significant advancement. It addresses the growing need for effective plastic recycling solutions. The combined expertise of both companies promises a more sustainable future for polypropylene plastics. The focus on high-purity recycled PP opens doors for its use in demanding applications. This reduces reliance on virgin materials. The establishment of PureCycle’s European plant signifies a crucial step in scaling up this innovative recycling technology. Landbell Group’s role in supplying feedstock ensures a consistent supply for the recycling process. This partnership serves as a model for other collaborations. Such collaborations are essential for achieving a truly circular economy for plastics. The emphasis on meeting new regulatory obligations further underscores the importance of this joint effort.