SUEZ and LyondellBasell signed an agreement establishing a joint venture that will focus on the production of high-quality circular polymers1. The two parties will leverage combined expertise to provide European plastic industry with virgin-like secondary raw material. This is the first time ever that one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies partners with a leading player in the management of resources to contribute to circular economy objectives.
Under the terms of the agreement, LyondellBasell will be a 50 / 50 partner2 with SUEZ in QCP3, a high standard plastics recovering company located near Maastricht in the Netherlands. Founded in 2014, QCP produces high-quality raw materials for the plastics industry. Its Sittard-Geleen facility is converting consumer waste into 25,000 tons of polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) per year. The company manufactures two grades of HDPE and eight grades of PP copolymer.
With an objective of 35,000 tons in 2018, and 50,000 tons before 2020, the production capacity of the plant will be unique in Europe. Within the new agreement, LyondellBasell will market QCP materials, as SUEZ will be responsible in feeding of the plant with post-consumer plastic waste. The two partners will benefit from the strategic location of QCP, located in the heart of the Netherlands - Belgium - Germany triangle and close to France.
In Europe, only 7% of the 50 Mio annual tonnage used is recycled polymer, and 93% is still virgin materials coming from fossil fuels. Together with LyondellBasell, we aim to speed up the use of circular polymers and industrial manufacturers to reach their environmental targets. This partnership represents a new step in SUEZ plastics strategy in Europe, and it will help to reach our objective to process 600,000 tons of plastic waste in 2020.
Jean-Marc Boursier , Group Senior Executive VP - Finance & Northern Europe
Plastics recycling is a key market for SUEZ. The group operates 9 specialist facilities in Europe in which every year 400,000 tons of plastic waste are processed and 150,000 tons of new plastic resources are produced.
In Europe, plastics recycling is now a growing market because of the constantly changing regulations – the EU aims at a 55% recycling rate in 2025 – and the growing demands of manufacturers. Almost 50 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year in Europe, and only 25% of which is recycled.
1The transaction between LyondellBasell and SUEZ is subject to regulatory approval. The two partners are seeking to secure regulatory approval by the end of 2017.
2The governance was previously composed of SUEZ (45%), QCP managers (20%) and financial investors (35%).
3Quality Circular Polymer.