Circular plastics through joint system development in the energy, waste, and chemical sectors

Research Project, 2024 – 2025

The purpose of the project is to prepare for a system demonstrator by ensuring the feasibility of recycling plastic waste through pyrolysis followed by steam cracking. The goal is to evaluate the techno-economic performance of a pyrolysis process aimed at converting plastic waste sorted from mixed waste into pyrolysis oil, which can be used for new plastic production through steam cracking.

The project prepares a system demonstrator where stakeholders from the waste, energy, and chemical industries jointly demonstrate chemical recycling of plastic. This includes developing a business model, pilot groundwork, circularity performance, and assessing national potential. The system to be demonstrated will be a key in returning sorted materials to production facilities, enhancing Sweden´s resilience through domestic production of circular raw materials for polymer manufacturing.

The project is divided into 5 work packages (WP): WP1) Analysis of polymer-rich waste streams sorted from mixed waste and the impact of sorting on waste incineration. WP2) Implementation study with process simulation and techno-economic analysis. WP3) Analysis of the use of pyrolysis oil from plastic waste for new plastic production. WP4) Assessment of circularity performance in terms of carbon utilization. WP5) Assessment of national potential.