The plastics will be broken down into smaller hydrocarbon chains using depolymerisation. This will recover the basic chemicals and the pure end product, recycled styrene, will be supplied to the petrochemical and chemical industries. The recycled styrene will have the same properties as new material.
Besides polystyrene, Plastics2Chemicals will incidentally also recycle a number of polyolefin materials, including 1,000 tonnes of film from the blue bag, such as the outer packaging for multipacks of drinks or bags such as crisp packets.
From 2024 onwards, 3,000 tonnes of PS from the five PMD sorting centres in Belgium will be chemically recycled, meaning that they can be used for new yoghurt pots, meat and fish trays or other (X)PS packaging. A great example of the circular economy, right here in Belgium!