As a global, leading producer of chemicals, polymers, fuels and technologies that advances solutions to big global challenges, circularity is a key priority for LyondellBasell. LyondellBasell is advancing technologies and innovations that will help conserve finite resources and retain their value for as long as possible. Concrete action is needed to advance the circular economy today and innovate for the future, which includes partnering across the value chain in the chemical sector.

LyondellBasell has announced its ambition to produce and market two million metric tonnes of recycled and renewable-based polymers annually by 2030. LyondellBasell recently took a major step towards achieving this goal by launching the Circulen product portfolio, a new global suite of products first launched in Europe that offer sustainable solutions supporting the reduction of plastic waste through the use of recycled content, and a lower carbon footprint through the use of renewable-based content as compared to feedstock from fossil-based sources. The Circulen product family includes:

• CirculenRecover polymers are made from plastic waste through a mechanical recycling process;
• CirculenRevive polymers are made using an advanced (molecular) recycling process to convert plastic waste into feedstock to produce the new polymers, which have a wide range of uses; and
• CirculenRenew polymers are made from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, and have a wide range of uses.

A practical example of the use of CirculenRecover products is the new Samsonite Magnum Eco suitcase line. These suitcases are made from mechanically recycled secondary plastics materials. Designed in Europe, the suitcases are made from household plastic waste from the Netherlands and Belgium, such as plastic bottles and yogurt pots. The large size suitcase incorporates recycled plastic waste equivalent to 483 yogurt cups and 14 plastic bottles. The exterior shells are made entirely from recycled plastics and the interior fabric is developed from 100% recycled PET bottles.

The launch of the Circulen portfolio follows several recent announcements focused on LyondellBasell’s circular economy ambitions:

• Expanding our mechanical recycling joint venture (Quality Circular Polymers) to include post-consumer and post-industrial recycled plastic;
• Extending future innovation in advanced (molecular) recycling with LyondellBasell’s MoReTec technology and the start-up of a pilot facility;
• Utilising renewable-based feedstocks such as waste cooking oils to produce plastic products that support the reduction of CO₂ over the product life cycle; and
• Securing International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification of LyondellBasell’s cracker and polymer sites in Europe.

Read more:

• Lyondellbasell launches family of circulen products to advance circular solutions
• Lydonellbasell’s growing portfolio of sustainable solutions 
• Lyondellbasell 2020 Sustainability Report