Shell plc (London, U.K.; www.shell.com) announced that Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk started up a new unit that allows difficult-to-recycle plastics to be reused. With the Market Development Upgrader (MDU), the chemicals complex can now process circular raw materials at scale. The opening marks a significant milestone for Shell and is essential for the development of plastic circularity in the Netherlands.
The Market Development Upgrader at Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk (Source; Shell)
Until now, plastic has mainly been recycled mechanically, but this is not possible for all plastics. For example, for hygiene reasons food packaging cannot be mechanically recycled. With chemical recycling, food packaging can be given a second life. The MDU plays a key role in advancing circularity for hard to recycle plastic waste.
First, plastic waste is heated to about 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit) until it melts, and the oxygen has been completely extracted. What remains is called pyrolysis oil. The MDU purifies this oil so that it can serve as feedstock for the cracking plant at Moerdijk. This cracker cuts and separates larger and smaller molecule chains, making the base chemicals for everyday products we all use.
“The industry plays a major role in the transition to a sustainable, circular economy,” says Dutch Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth. “Shell’s new plant will improve plastic recycling capabilities, reduce dependence on fossil ‘feedstock’ and stimulate innovation and green growth. This is a good example of how the Netherlands can excel internationally in a future-proof industry.”
“Moerdijk is the first location within Shell to upgrade pyrolysis oil at scale,” observes Richard Zwinkels, General Manager of Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk. “Chemical recycling supports the development of a truly circular system for plastic, similar to how societies collect and reuse empty glass bottles and wastepaper.”
Dutch Environment Minister Chris Jansen says: “Today I saw another great example of how innovative the Netherlands is. We need these kinds of innovations for the transition to a circular plastic value chain. In addition to the existing recycling routes, there is a need to scale up new recycling routes, such as this plant. It’s great to see the sector is taking another step today.”
Currently in the Netherlands, a maximum of 46% of plastic waste is (mechanically) recycled, which means it is shredded, washed, sorted and reused to a limited extent. The rest of the plastic waste is incinerated. The MDU installation at Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk is helping to change that. Eventually, the MDU will be scaled up to full capacity and will handle up to 50 kilotons of pyrolysis oil per year. The amount is equal to what 2.5 million Dutch people produce in plastic waste annually.