The Netehrlands – Dutch company Itero Technologies receives a €5 million grant to build a demonstration plant for chemically recycling mixed plastic waste, offering a potential solution to the ever-growing plastic pollution crisis.
The €5 million grant, awarded by the European Just Transition Fund and co-financed by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, marks a significant step forward for Itero’s innovative technology. This funding will enable the construction of a demonstration factory at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands, specifically designed to validate Itero’s chemical recycling process for mixed plastic waste.
Chemical recycling
Traditional mechanical recycling methods struggle with certain types of plastic, particularly mixed and contaminated plastics, often leading to incineration. Itero’s approach, however, utilizes a different approach – chemical recycling. This process breaks down the plastic molecules through a controlled pyrolysis process, converting them back into their basic building blocks. These building blocks can then be used to create new, high-quality plastic products.
The potential impact of Itero’s technology is multifaceted. Firstly, it offers a sustainable solution for managing mixed plastic waste, diverting it from landfills and incineration, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The demonstration plant, with a capacity of processing 27,000 tons of waste plastic annually, has the potential to significantly contribute to achieving circular economy goals.
Secondly, the project is expected to create approximately 40 full-time jobs, boosting the local economy and fostering innovation in the green technology sector. This aligns with the European Just Transition Fund’s objectives of supporting regions and communities transitioning away from fossil fuel dependence.
