Styrenics producer Ineos Styrolution (Frankfurt / Germany; www.ineos-styrolution.com) and plastic recycling specialist Recycling Technologies (Swindon / UK; www.recyclingtechnologies.co.uk) have agreed to promote the development of PS recycling in Europe. The UK company has already completed a detailed research and trial process with Ineos Styrolution. This activity included scientific research and processing of PS on Recycling Technologies’ “Mark II” test reactor, which had produced “excellent” results, a joint statement announced.

Both companies will now develop this depolymerisation solution based on the UK company’s “fluidised bed” technology, which is currently used for mixed plastics and will now be adapted for the commercial recycling of PS. The resulting rPS has the potential to meet the high specifications demanded for food packaging regulations, making it attractive to the food industry, the two companies said.

Adrian Griffiths, Recycling Technologies CEO, said the partnership will allow the UK recycling specialist to expand its feedstock recycling technology solutions to address the new and important PS recycling market.