A joint venture between NOVA Chemicals and Enerkem will build a pilot project in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, using advanced recycling to convert syngas into raw materials for virgin plastics. CDN$4.5 million in funding from the Alberta Innovates’ Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (“TIER”) Economic Recovery Program will allow the companies to accelerate construction of a pilot-scale reactor system. The reactor system generates syngas from used, non-recyclable and non-compostable plastics and converts it into feedstock for new plastics.
The team has worked to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while significantly accelerating the refining process for waste materials. The project aims to expand the types of materials that can be recycled and increase recycling rates, while reducing emissions from incineration and landfilling and keeping plastics out of the environment. According to the companies, it is an important step toward realizing the vision of the circular economy.
The project leverages Enerkem’s gasification expertise and NOVA Chemicals’ experience in petrochemicals and plastics manufacturing. Successful implementation of this technology in Alberta could result in a reduction in local CO2 emissions of approximately 165,000 tCO2e per year, while diverting 230,000 tons of waste (including more than 100,000 tons of mixed plastic waste) per year from landfills, the companies said.
- Enerkem Inc., Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- NOVA Chemicals Corporation, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
