Axens, Ifpen and Jeplan announce the launch of the commercialisation by Axens of the Rewind PET chemical recycling process
In line with the announcement made at the inauguration of a semi-industrial demonstration unit at Kitakyushu in Japan in October 2023, Axens, Ifpen and Jeplan, partners in the project, announced the launch of the commercialisation (licensing) by Axens of the Rewind PET process. This step concludes the one-year test period within the demonstration unit, and aims to enable a further acceleration of the energy transition and the circular economy of plastics, which are at the heart of Axens’ and Ifpen’s strategy.
Axens, Ifpen and Jeplan formed a strategic partnership in 2020 to develop this innovative chemical recycling process, which can be used to recycle all types of PET waste, especially the waste difficult to recycle mechanically, according to the companies. With the support of the French Environment and Energy Management Agency, this collaboration resulted in the construction, commissioning and start-up of the semi-industrial Rewind PET unit in September 2023. The validation and commercial launch of Rewind PET follows the positive outcome of a year-long program of tests carried out in the demonstration unit. This test program demonstrated the effectiveness and reliability of the process while treating post-consumer PET waste. Results and launch are on schedule, in line with the ambitions announced by the three partners. Axens is now in a position to offer a complete Rewind PET license package, including basic process design (which may be modularised), performance guarantees, supply of proprietary equipment and technical support for the start-up and operation of its customers’ industrial units.
A unique chemical recycling process for PET
Rewind PET involves the continuous depolymerisation of PET by glycolysis, followed by in-depth purification of the resulting monomer, BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate). Its main advantage for manufacturers lies in its ability to separate all additives and colourants to restore a pure BHET monomer, which can be re-polymerised in existing (or new) polymerisation plants. Recycled PET produced from the semi-industrial plant’s pure BHET monomer has already received approval from several major companies in the food packaging and cosmetics sectors, underlining its potential for widespread market adoption.
