LyondellBasell, Neste launch new bio-based plastics – Chron

LyondellBasell has joined forces with a Finland-based energy company to produce two forms plastics made from renewable sources instead of fossil fuels.

The petrochemical giant said Tuesday that it partnered with Neste, an oil refiner and the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel, to create a new bio-based polypropylene and low-density polyethylene products, two of the most common types of plastics.

It’s the first time time bio-based polypropylene and bio-based low-density polyethylene were produced simultaneously at commercial scale, according to a release from LyondellBasell, which has a U.S. headquarters in Houston.

Using renewable hydrocarbons derived from waste and residue oils, the joint project produced several thousand metric tons of bio-based plastics, the companies said. The plastics are approved for the production of food packaging and being marketed under the name Circulen and Circulen Plus, the new family of LyondellBasell circular economy product brands. An independent third party tested the polymer products using carbon tracers and confirmed they contained over 30 percent renewable content. 

Neste, which has operations in Houston, said the bio-based plastics provide a drop-in replacement for traditional polyproplyene and low density polyethylene.

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“We are excited to enable the plastics industry to introduce more bio-based material into its offering. It is very satisfying to see Neste’s renewable hydrocarbons performing perfectly in a commercial scale production of bio-based polymers, providing a drop-in replacement option to fossil materials,” said Neste’s President and CEO Peter Vanacker in a statement. “This pioneering collaboration with LyondellBasell marks a major milestone in the commercialization of Neste’s renewable polymers and chemicals business focusing on developing renewable and circular solutions for forward-looking sustainable brands.”

Petrochemical companies are putting more investments into creating sustainable packaging in response to demand from brands like Procter and Gamble, Nestle and Unilever that are setting new sustainability targets to meet changing consumer sentiment. In one recent study from the global research firm Accenture,  more than half of consumers said they would pay more for sustainable products designed to be reused or recycled.

LyondellBasell has been increasingly vocal about the petrochemical industry playing an active role in preventing and reducing plastic waste. Its CEO Bob Patel helping to launch an industry wide initiative called the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.

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“LyondellBasell has an innovative spirit that spans decades, and an achievement like this showcases concrete actions we are taking in support of a circular economy,” said Richard Roudeix, LyondellBasell Senior Vice President of Olefins and Polyolefins for Europe, Asia and International in a statement. “Through the use of renewable resources, we are contributing to the fight against climate change and helping our customers achieve their environmental targets.”

The companies said the project used Neste’s renewable feedstock in LyondellBasell’s cracker at its Wesseling, Germany site, which was converted directly into bio-based polyethylene and bio-based polypropylene. An independent third party tested the polymer products using carbon tracers and confirmed they contained over 30 percent renewable content.

Some of the trial products were sold to multiple customers, including Cofresco which plans to use the Circulen Plus bio-based polyethylene to create sustainable food packaging materials.