INEOS Olefins & Polymers, based in Lavera, Southern France, has received its initial shipments of pyrolysis oil, a feedstock derived from recycled plastic waste, at its facility 30 miles west of Marseille. This material will be used to produce recycled polymers, enabling customers to comply with EU regulations requiring at least 10% recycled content in food contact, medical, and sensitive plastic packaging by 2030. The Lavera site, fully owned by INEOS since April 2024, is among Europe’s largest petrochemical complexes.

The pyrolysis oil, produced in Europe from post-consumer plastic packaging unsuitable for mechanical recycling, is created through advanced recycling processes. It is processed in the Lavera cracker to generate recycled ethylene and propylene, which are then converted into high-quality recycled polyethylene and polypropylene at INEOS polymer plants in Lavera and Sarralbe, France, and Rosignano, Italy. These polymers meet strict EU standards for applications like caps, closures, milk bottles, and water pipes.

To facilitate this production, part of the Lavera cracker was modified to process renewable naphtha from sources such as biomass, organic waste, or recycled materials alongside conventional feedstocks. The sustainability of these products is verified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme, ensuring accurate tracking of renewable feedstocks through mass balance principles.

Advanced recycling supports the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) targets for 2030 and 2040 by enabling the safe use of recycled materials in packaging. This technology allows for repeated recycling of end products, reducing reliance on fossil-based raw materials and preventing plastic waste from reaching landfills or incineration, thus promoting a circular economy.

Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe: “At INEOS, we recognise that delivering a circular economy requires both ambition and action. While mechanical recycling remains essential, advanced recycling plays a critical role in expanding the potential for plastics recycling and closing the loop – particularly for high-performance applications. We are making real and tangible progress. By converting our cracker in Lavera and securing access to pyrolysis oil, we are building the capability needed to produce virgin-quality polymers from recycled feedstocks. These materials will help our customers meet the EU’s stringent regulatory targets and sustainability goals.”

INEOS is committed to advancing circularity through partnerships and innovations, including its Recycl-IN hybrid polymers and a pilot line for fully recyclable MDO films, reinforcing its role in sustainable plastic production.