Coronavirus may have given single-use plastics a reprieve as we all realise the value they bring to public health by preventing the spread of the virus. But when the crisis is over, what then? INEOS hopes people will see that not all plastic is the problem, it’s how we treat plastic waste. For years now, INEOS has been calling for a change in mind - set - and trying to explain its thinking.

Now it is forging partnerships with recycling companies in America, the UK, Italy and Austria.

PLASTIC ENERGY, Forever Plast, Viridor, Agilyx, Pyrowave and GreenMantra – all leaders in their own fields – are all now working with INEOS to close the loop and create a circular economy where nothing goes to waste.

As a result, plastic waste, much of which was once destined for landfill, is now being turned into a raw material that INEOS can use.

INEOS has also found a way to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by making a new generation of bio-based plastics from a residue from the pulp industry.

Instead of 100% gas and oil, it is using that renewable raw material from Finland instead. And the plastic that is made from this bio-attributed raw material has a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional plastic.

And it is on the brink of a partnership in a plant that will take the plastic no one wants – and using a UK company’s patented technology – turn it into a recycled raw material that can make virgin plastics. And crucially, interest in all these newly-engineered high quality, plastic products is flooding in from all corners of the globe. As part of its own commitment to a new circular economy, INEOS set itself four ambitious targets to meet by 2025. One promised to use 325,000 tonnes of recycled polymer in its products. It is now doing that. Another pledged to offer products containing at least 50% of recycled content. That too is happening.

“We don’t wait to see what happens,” said ­INEOS Communications Director Tom Crotty. “We make it happen.”