INEOS Styrolution marks a significant achievement in polymer recycling technology by receiving its first large-scale shipment of a key chemical feedstock — styrene monomer — that has been produced through the chemical recycling of polystyrene waste. This material was supplied by Indaver from a newly operational facility in Antwerp that utilizes a process called depolymerization, which breaks down used plastics into their original chemical components.

The recycled styrene monomer can then be used to manufacture new polystyrene products that are identical in quality to those made from virgin fossil fuels, even for sensitive applications like food packaging and medical devices. This milestone represents a commercial-scale advancement for a circular economy model that relies on polymer recycling technology.

Image Credit: Indaver