PR - Axens and Toray Films Europe to boost Plastic Circular Economy with a new PET Chemical Recycling Plant in Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost (France)

New units based on Axens’ Rewind® PET technology will be coupled with Toray Films Europe’s existing polymerization plant in order to recycle annually 80,000 tons of difficult-to-recycle PET plastic waste. Joined efforts of both parties in their domain of expertise will allow the emergence of competencies for chemical recycling circularity. 

Post consumers PET plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled and are currently down-cycled, incinerated or landfilled, will be converted into high-quality Circular PET chips, closing the loop for this material with potentially infinite recycling.

Rewind® PET process, developed by IFP Energies nouvelles, Axens and JEPLAN, involves an optimized - glycolysis based - PET depolymerization combined with specific purification steps aiming at removing all organic and inorganic compounds present in waste PET, including colorants and pigments. The product is a purified BHET (BHET: Bis(2-HydroxyEthyl) Terephthalate) monomer. 
BHET monomer will then be processed in Toray Films Europe existing continuous polymerization plant to produce up to 100% recycled transparent food contact PET for films, fiber and bottles applications.

The project is currently in its engineering phase, and targets start-up of the first Rewind® PET train leading to an annual production of 30,000 tons of recycled PET, by the end of 2025 (phase 1). With the addition of a second Rewind® PET train by the end of the decade, the polymerization plant will be used at full capacity to produce 100%  recycled PET (phase 2). This investment will create additional direct and indirect jobs at and in relation with Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost industrial site, benefitting from ideal existing infrastructures, in particular for the waste feedstock supply.

About Axens

Axens group provides a complete range of solutions for the conversion of oil and biomass to cleaner fuels, the production and purification of major petrochemical intermediates, the chemical recycling of plastics and all natural gas treatment and conversion options. The offer includes technologies, equipment, furnaces, modular units, catalysts, adsorbents and related services. Axens is ideally positioned to cover the entire value chain, from feasibility study to unit start-up and follow-up throughout the entire unit life cycle. This unique position ensures the highest level of performance with a reduced environmental footprint. Axens global offer is based on highly trained human resources, modern production facilities and an extended global network for industrial, technical supports & commercial services. Axens is an IFP Group company.

Contact press: press@axens.net

About Toray Film Europe

Toray Films Europe, making engineering plastics films and polymer, is located in Saint-Maurice-de-Beynost, France, and subsidiary company of Japanese group Toray Industries. Toray Films Europe capitalize on the strength of the Toray group to provide customized solutions to each customer.

Contact press: info.marketing@torayfilms.eu