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INEOS Styrolution and Sirap agree on joint project aiming at depolymerisation solution for polystyrene


Frankfurt, Germany

  • Plans to use recycled polystyrene for Sirap’s future food packaging solutions
  • Project contributes to INEOS Styrolution’s ambitious efforts related to resource efficiency, recycling and reduced environmental footprint
  • Agreement positions Sirap as first mover planning with depolymerisation solution in XPS based food packaging
  • INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, announces today an agreement with Sirap, an international leader in the production of food packaging (particularly of XPS based food containers), to develop packaging solutions based on chemically recycled polystyrene. Ultimately, the solution aims at achieving circularity for polystyrene reducing post-consumer waste, saving valuable resources with a reduced environmental footprint.

    The joint project between INEOS Styrolution and Sirap focuses on the use of polystyrene that is recycled through depolymerisation, a process that converts post-consumer polystyrene waste back to its monomers. This agreement positions Sirap as a first mover in the XPS food packaging sector. The advantage of this process is the generation of high-quality virgin polystyrene ultimately for food-related use. This means that recycled polystyrene will have the same properties as the initial polystyrene – including complying with stringent food contact regulations.

    INEOS Styrolution and Sirap have agreed on a very ambitious time schedule with first samples of recycled polystyrene from lab-scale facilities being analysed still in 2019.

    Stefano Lazzari, CEO at Sirap, comments: “Sirap will act as pilot leader within a wide group of XPS packaging producers. We have been engaged for years in redesigning our processes and products in harmony with the guidelines of the circular economy. This particular project will bring the family of extruded polystyrene foam containers, which are light and high in performance, to a circular solution before the 2025 deadline, thus becoming one of the best products in term of environmental impact.”

    ABOUT INEOS STYROLUTION

    INEOS Styrolution is the leading, global styrenics supplier with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 85 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering the best possible solution, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including Automotive, Electronics, Household, Construction, Healthcare, Packaging and Toys/ Sports/ Leisure. In 2018, sales were at 5.4 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,500 people and operates 20 production sites in ten countries.

    For futher information contact:

    Name : Dr. Ralf Leinemann

    Position : Global Manager PR & Marketing Communications

    Phone Number : work +49 69 5095501366

    Email : ralf.leinemann@ineos.com

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