INEOS Delivers First Recycled Pyrolysis Oil in France Supporting EU Sustainability Goals

INEOS Olefins & Polymers has announced the first delivery of innovative recycled pyrolysis oil to its Lavéra site in southern France, marking a major step toward meeting EU regulations requiring at least 10% recycled content in materials by 2030. These advanced recycled polymers will cater to strict applications such as baby bottles, caps, and water pipes, helping customers meet stringent EU standards for food contact and medical-grade materials.

The Lavéra cracker has been partially upgraded to process both traditional feedstocks and renewable naphtha derived from biomass, organic waste, or recycled materials. Using advanced recycling technology, post-consumer plastic waste that cannot be mechanically recycled is converted into pyrolysis oil, which is then transformed into recycled ethylene and propylene. These are further processed at INEOS polymer plants in France (Lavéra, Sarralbe) and Italy (Rosignano) to produce recycled polyethylene and polypropylene with virgin-like quality.

The renewable nature of these products is certified through ISCC PLUS, ensuring accurate tracking of recycled material flows under the mass balance principle. This certification guarantees the credibility of all recycled or renewable content claims.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) sets ambitious goals for recycling by 2030 and 2040. Advanced recycling is essential for achieving the minimum recycled content requirements, enabling true circularity by producing materials that can be recycled infinitely. This technology prevents plastics from ending up in landfills or incineration, reducing reliance on fossil-based feedstocks.

Lavéra, located 48 kilometers west of Marseille, is one of Europe’s largest petrochemical sites. Since April 2024, the facility has been fully owned by INEOS, following the acquisition of TotalEnergies' stakes in Naphtachimie (cracking unit), Appryl (polypropylene), Gexaro (aromatics), and related infrastructure.

Rob Ingram, CEO of INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe, highlighted the importance of the initiative:
“At INEOS, achieving a circular economy requires both ambition and practical action. While mechanical recycling plays a vital role, advanced recycling is crucial for unlocking the full potential of plastics, especially for high-performance applications. By upgrading Lavéra and ensuring stable pyrolysis oil supply, we’ve built the capability to produce polymers with virgin-like quality from recycled feedstocks. This innovation directly supports customers in meeting strict EU regulations and sustainability targets.”

INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe operates 8 production sites with an annual capacity of over 8.5 million tons of chemicals and polymers. Its diverse technology platform allows for tailored solutions, delivering high-performance polymers to core markets.