Saudi petrochemicals and plastics giant Sabic (Riyadh; www.sabic.com) has launched a pilot project with UK chemical recycling company Plastic Energy (London; www.plasticenergy.com), technology company Finboot Tech (Cardiff, UK; www.finboot.com), and packaging specialist Intraplás (Rebordões, Portugal; www.intraplas.pt). The goal of the project is to demonstrate the possibility of using blockchain technology to create additional transparency and digital traceability for certified circular feedstock, used particularly in Sabic’s Trucircle portfolio of renewable polymers.

The Marco blockchain software developed by Finboot will track the certified circular Tacoil produced by Plastic Energy, as well as the delivery of the Tacoil to Sabic for conversion into Trucircle polymers. The blockchain software then tracks the delivery of the Trucircle polymers to Intraplás for conversion into packaging solutions.

Related: TotalEnergies teams up with Recycling Technologies to develop a ‘track and trace’ solution for hard-to-recycle plastic

The technology also ensures that all data gathered remains immutable while shared across suppliers, customers, and regulators to provide transparency, auditability, and accountability. The blockchain technology validates sustainability proof points and credentials, which reduces the administrative efforts associated with the certification process of materials.

Sabic and Plastic Energy are also jointly constructing a recycling unit to produce Tacoil for Sabic’s Trucircle feedstocks (see Plasteurope.com of 25.01.2021).