US CP Chem’s chemical recycling programme receives ISCC certification, secures supply agreement

HOUSTON (ICIS)–Chrevron Phillips Chemical announced on Monday that its chemical recycling programme has been certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS (ISCC PLUS) process, and that the company has secured a long-term supply agreement for pyrolysis oil used in chemical recycling.

In chemical recycling, waste plastic is broken down via pyrolysis into an oil.

The oil can then be processed and used as feedstock for crackers to make ethylene. The ethylene is polymerised to make polyethylene (PE).

Chevron Phillips Chemical is targeting annual production of 1bn lb) (453,600 tonnes)/year of chemically recycled PE by 2030.

Chevron Phillips did not say what the volume of pyrolysis oil or for what duration its supply agreement with Nexus Fuels is for.

Nexus Fuels previously signed a supply agreement with Shell for 60,000 tonnes of pyrolysis liquids over four years.

Atlanta, Georgia-based Nexus Fuels uses pyrolysis technology to convert waste plastics into feedstocks for the production of chemicals, plastics and fuels.

The ISCC PLUS certification reflects Chevron Phillips’ committed and growing efforts to create sustainable streams for waste plastics, the company said.

CP Chem’s Cedar Bayou facility in Baytown, Texas, is the company’s first location to receive the ISCC PLUS certification.

The company said it plans to seek certified status as additional sites are added to the expanding advanced recycling programme.

“The early success and certification of our advanced recycling program reinforces CPChem’s drive to cultivate a circular economy for plastics,” said Jay Bickett, vice president of polymers and sustainability at Chevron Phillips Chemical.