- INEOS and Norwegian recycler Recuro sign MoU to develop an advanced recycling facility at INEOS’ Bamble site in Norway that will process up to 33,000 tonnes of end-of-life plastic waste annually
- Powered by renewable energy and using advanced pyrolysis technology, the project will maximise recovery and reuse of oil and gas fractions while reducing emissions and making use of existing industrial infrastructure
- The recycled feedstock will be used to produce recycled ethylene and virgin-quality recycled polyethylene suitable for demanding applications such as food and medical packaging, helping to meet the EU’s recycling requirements
INEOS and Norwegian recycling company Recuro have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a state-of-the-art advanced recycling facility at INEOS’ Bamble polymer site in Norway. Once commissioned, the plant will process up to 33,000 metric tonnes of end-of-life plastic waste annually, supporting the availability of recycled feedstocks needed to meet the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements.
The initiative, named ‘Full Circle’, is designed to combine environmental responsibility with economic viability by recycling waste using existing industrial infrastructure, land and services, an approach that reduces both the associated costs and overall environmental footprint.
Powered entirely by renewable Norwegian energy, the plant will be designed to operate with minimal emissions and utilize advanced pyrolysis technology, which maximizes the recovery of embedded carbon from plastic waste by retaining both the oil and gas fractions produced during recycling for further use, rather than diverting them to energy generation. Carbon is essential for producing the materials used in everyday products, and keeping carbon-based materials such as plastics in circulation is key to reducing overall CO₂ emissions.
INEOS will use the recycled product as feedstock to produce recycled ethylene at its Rafnes cracker, enabling the nearby Bamble plant to manufacture virgin-quality recycled polyethylene that meets the EU’s stringent regulatory requirements for high-performance applications such as food and medical packaging, this will lead to higher overall recycling rates.
“What makes the ‘Full Circle’ project stand out is its holistic approach,” said Arve Jakobsen, CEO of Recuro. “By reusing an existing industrial site, optimising infrastructure, and locating the plant next to a steam cracker facility, we can recover and reuse both oil and gas streams. This is circularity in its truest form.”
The project also represents a major milestone for Recuro as it advances its ambition to become a leading player in plastic recycling.
“Great outcomes are possible through strong partnerships,” Jakobsen added. “This exciting project has been made possible by the support we have received from the Norwegian government through Innovation Norway, our technology partner, Vixla, and of course, INEOS.”
Liz Rittweger, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, adds: “Advanced recycling plays a critical role in expanding the potential for plastics recycling and closing the loop for high-performance applications. This project reflects INEOS’ commitment to making a low-carbon circular economy a reality for our customers and wider society. Regulators can support this effort with clear, harmonised rules that recognise advanced recycling outputs, create legal certainty, and give investors the confidence to invest in new technologies at scale.”
ENDS
Editor notes
The recycling process utilises pyrolysis, a technology that heats materials at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen to break them down into simpler components - primarily oil, gas, and char. These outputs can then be refined and reused as feedstocks for new plastic production, closing the loop on plastic waste.
Media contacts
Regional and pan-European titles:
INEOS PR | +44 (0) 207 193 9030 | ineos@firstlightgroup.io
Richard Longden | INEOS | +41 79 962 61 23 | richard.longden@ineos.com
Trade Press:
Alistair Shaw | INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe | +44 7817458865 | alistair.shaw@ineos.com
Norway media:
Åse Dvergsdal | INEOS Norway | +47 48350626 | ase.dvergsdal@ineos.com
About INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe
INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has the capacity to manufacture over 8.5 million tons of chemicals and polymers at eight sites. These are used to produce a wide range of derivative