Covestro-backed BioBTX advances sustainable production of aromatics from waste

Dutch circular chemistry company BioBTX, supported by Covestro, is developing the world's first commercial-scale facility to convert mixed plastic waste into aromatic chemicals using its proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology. The plant will be located at Chemical Park Delfzijl in the Netherlands and is expected to create 35 jobs.

The facility will process around 20,000 tonnes of mixed plastic waste annually, producing approximately 10,000 tonnes of renewable aromatic oil containing benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX), along with 8,000 tonnes of sustainable by-products. These chemicals are widely used in industries such as coatings, pharmaceuticals and performance materials, They can also be used for the isocyanate production (MDI/TDI) of Covestro, out of which soft foam for e.g. mattresses or rigid foam for insulating refrigerators are made.

According to the companies, the technology could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70-80% compared with conventional fossil-based BTX production. The project marks a major milestone in BioBTX's 14-year development journey, progressing from concept and pilot-scale testing to commercial deployment. While the initial focus is on mixed plastic waste, the ICCP technology can also be adapted to process alternative feedstocks, including biomass, in the future.

Source: Covestro