Axens, IFPEN (the French Institute of Petroleum) and JEPLAN launched the enterprise launch of the Rewind PET Course of, which shall be marketed globally as a license package deal deal to Axens purchasers.
Axens, IFPEN and JEPLAN long-established a strategic partnership in 2020 to develop the Rewind PET chemical recycling course of, which might be utilized to recycle all kinds of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste. With the assistance of the French Environment and Vitality Administration Firm (ADEME), this collaboration resulted throughout the improvement, commissioning and startup of the semi-industrial Rewind PET unit at JEPLAN’s plant in Kitakyushu, Japan, in September 2023.
The Rewind PET course of depolymerizes PET using glycolysis. Provide: Axens.
The validation and enterprise launch of Rewind PET follows the constructive last results of a year-long program of exams carried out throughout the demonstration unit. A giant-scale examine program demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of the strategy whereas treating postconsumer PET waste. In accordance with Axens, outcomes and launch are on schedule, in step with the ambitions launched by the three companions. Axens is now prepared to produce a complete Rewind PET license package deal deal, along with basic course of design (which might be modularized), effectivity ensures, present of proprietary gear and technical assist for the startup, and operation of its purchasers’ industrial fashions.
Rewind PET entails the continuous depolymerization of PET by glycolysis, adopted by purification of the following monomer, BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate). Its basic profit for producers lies in its means to separate all elements and colorants to revive a pure BHET monomer, which shall be merely re-polymerized in present (or new) polymerization crops. Recycled PET produced from the semi-industrial plant’s pure BHET monomer has already obtained approval from various foremost companies throughout the meals packaging and cosmetics sectors, underlining its potential for widespread market adoption.
“With this revolutionary course of, we are going to assist our purchasers in achieving their daring targets for the incorporation of recycled provides in a number of industrial sectors, starting with packaging and textiles. It is a extremely efficient response to the challenges of ecological transition for producers and mannequin householders looking out for reliable, sustainable choices to adapt their industrial companies,” says Quintin Debuisschert, chairman and CEO of Axens.