Upcoming Trade Shows Köln, Germany for Recycling

Cologne is set to become a leader in advanced recycling technology as Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe and Plastic Energy have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a large-scale facility aimed at producing 100,000 metric tons of recycled raw materials annually. This is major news for the city’s already extensive recycling industry. The partnership signifies a big step forward in circular economy initiatives, leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform plastic waste into high-quality polymers suitable for demanding applications such as food packaging and medical supplies. The new production site in Cologne will be the largest deployment of Plastic Energy’s patented TAC recycling technology to date. This process converts difficult-to-recycle plastic waste, which would otherwise be incinerated or sent to landfills, into Tacoil, a valuable raw material that can replace traditional oil-derived inputs in the production of virgin-quality plastics. Ineos will further invest in technology that will integrate Tacoil into its existing steam crackers. The advanced recycling process will allow Ineos to reduce dependency on fossil-based raw materials, a move that aligns with broader European Union initiatives promoting a circular economy and reducing plastic waste. The collaboration between Ineos and Plastic Energy dates back to 2020, when they first explored the commercial feasibility of a commercial-scale plant. The companies have since demonstrated the successful conversion of Tacoil into virgin-quality polymer at the Ineos facility in Cologne, which is a major win for the recycling industry at large. Selected brands and customers have already used this recycled material, which goes on to show how high demands is for sustainable alternatives in the market. Initiatives like this highlight the increasing role of advanced recycling in addressing global plastic waste challenges. With Cologne at the forefront of this movement, the city is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of sustainable plastic production.