INEOS Launches Advanced Recycled Plastic Production in Southern France
INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe has officially launched the production of advanced recycled plastics at its Lavera site in southern France, following the successful delivery of its first batches of pyrolysis oil made from post-consumer plastic waste.
According to a statement from INEOS, the Lavera cracker has been partially converted to process this innovative feedstock—pyrolysis oil—produced through advanced recycling of plastics that are unsuitable for mechanical recycling. The oil is used to produce recycled ethylene and propylene, which are then converted into virgin-quality polyethylene and polypropylene at INEOS facilities in Lavera, Sarralbe (France), and Rosignano (Italy).
The company says these new polymers meet strict EU standards for recycled content in sensitive applications such as food packaging, medical supplies, milk bottles, and water pipes. The materials are independently certified under the ISCC PLUS scheme, ensuring traceability and mass balance accountability of recycled and renewable content.
Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, emphasized the strategic importance of the development, stating: “At INEOS, we recognise that delivering a circular economy requires both ambition and action. While mechanical recycling remains essential, advanced recycling plays a critical role in expanding the potential for plastics recycling and closing the loop—particularly for high-performance applications.”
The initiative supports the European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which sets a target for plastic packaging to contain at least 10% recycled content by 2030. Industry experts note that advanced recycling can reduce dependence on fossil-based raw materials and prevent plastic waste from being incinerated or landfilled.
The Lavera site, located roughly 30 miles west of Marseille, is one of Europe’s largest petrochemical complexes. INEOS took full ownership of the site in April 2024.
Source: INEOS
