New circular plastics join ISCC

There is increasing public awareness of the need to stop using fossil oil and gas to produce the chemicals and plastics we rely on – recognising that these useful substances need to become fully decoupled from the consumption of finite resources. In addition, more and more
companies are now replacing fossil feedstock with recycled and renewable raw materials for their production. ISCC supports this transition to circular economy and bioeconomy models. Cyclyx, Orkla, Regenyx, Trinseo, Tupperware® and Vynova are companies active right across the value chain all active in stopping waste going to landfill, instead converting it into a valuable product.

ISCC PLUS certified Cyclyx International is a US-based post-use plastic feedstock management company founded by Agilyx and ExxonMobil. Cyclyx works with
its consortium of industry members from various parts of the plastic supply chain to develop innovative recycling solutions for all types of post-use plastics. It does this by sourcing post-consumer plastic waste that would otherwise be destined for landfill. This material channels back into circular pathways through lab analysis, logistics optimisation and AI – ensuring that it meets individual member specifications along the way.

Regenyx, a joint venture between Agilyx and AmSty, recently gained ISCC PLUS certifi cation and takes Cyclyx sourced post-use plastics and uses a pyrolysis process to convert it to its original feedstock form, Recycled Styrene Monomer (RSM). The recycled material can be used to make new circular polystyrene. Regenyx has diverted a significant amount of polystyrene from ending up as waste in landfills. Regenyx transitioned its Tigard, Oregon facility to a Renewable Energy Credit (REC) program, off setting its energy usage through the purchase of credits for 100% renewable wind energy. “We are proud of the work that has been done at the Regenyx facility to accelerate the available capacity of recycled content for producers,” stated Tim Stedman, CEO of Agilyx. “The advancements we have made at Regenyx, along with ISCC PLUS certification, are further concrete proof that we have created a circular recycling pathway for polystyrene recycling.”

Many companies rely on the mass balance approach to track recycled or renewable raw materials as they are converted into chemicals and plastics alongside conventional feedstocks. Trinseo received certification for four product families manufactured at three European sites;
polystyrene produced in Tessenderlo, Belgium, polycarbonate produced in Stade, Germany, synthetic rubber produced in Schkopau, Germany and ethylbenzene styrene monomer produced in Terneuzen, the Netherlands. Intermediate products from Trinseo are used to produce packaging, consumer electronics, construction products, medical devices, home appliances and tyres. Francesca Reverberi, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Offi cer
of Trinseo, says, “The mass balance certification is another step taken by Trinseo towards helping our customers bring more recycled products onto the market. I am proud that Trinseo does not simply talk about being sustainable or environmentally friendly, but that it is taking a leadership role to drive sustainability in our industry”.

»The mass balance certification is another step taken by Trinseo towards helping our customers bring more recycled products onto the market.«

Francesca Reverberi, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Trinseo

Vynova, a PVC producer, achieved ISCC PLUS certification in early 2020 for its bio-attributed PVC that is manufactured using ethylene produced from second generation biomass. In November of the same year, the company launched a circular-attributed PVC range produced using circular ethylene made from mixed plastic waste. Since then, multiple customers have become certified, with several others in the process. In addition, Vynova has recently started commercial shipments to customers. Rudy Miller, Vice President Vinyls Business at Vynova, explains. “By using bio or circular feedstock in the production of PVC, we are supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals and offering differentiated solutions to their customer base”.

There has been a significant increase in the number of companies seeking ISCC certification along the entire supply chain. This includes the certification of converters, who receive plastic granulate from polymerisation plants and transform it into other forms to make products
for our daily use, such as films, tubs, bags and more.

»By using bio or circular feedstock in the production of PVC, we are supporting our customers in achieving their sustainability goals and offering differentiated solutions to their customer base.«

Rudy Miller, Vice President Vinyls Business at Vynova Group