BioBTX plans to build €80 million plant in Delfzijl

BIOBTX PLANS TO BUILD €80 MILLION PLANT IN DELFZIJL

BioBTX plans to build a new plant by the alias ‘Petra Circular Chemicals’ at the Chemistry Park Delfzijl. The plant will be up and running in 2027, processing over 50.000 tons of plastic waste each year.
As the world divests from fossil fuels more and more each day, sustainable alternatives are of great importance to fill the gap. This is where BioBTX comes in. Whereas most plastic waste would normally be incinerated or dumped in a landfill, BioBTX is turning this waste into new aromatics. These aromatics, in turn, can be used for new plastics, electronics and chemicals. With benefits like less waste, reduced CO2 emissions and independence from fossil fuels, BioBTX is the sustainable new norm.

Plant

Construction will happen in two phases, with the first phase starting early next year. The first phase will be finished in 2024, marking the start of operations at the site. The second phase will be finished in 2027. When the plant is completely up and running, it will be capable of processing over 50.000 tons of plastic each year. This comes down to approximately 10 percent of the plastic waste mountain produced yearly in our country. Almost 70 percent of the 50.000 tons of plastic waste will be recycled and returned as raw material in the production chain.

Whereas nowadays fossil fuels are the main materials used for products, this isn’t allowed anymore in 2050. This results in a huge challenge that the world must face, but moreover; it offers opportunities. Considering these events, the plant comes just at the right time.

BioBTX

About eight years ago, the company started their search for fossil-free alternatives. In their testing facility at the Zernike Campus, BioBTX developed technology to turn plastic waste into aromatics like benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). These aromatics can be reused when producing plastics, electronics and chemicals.
The recycling of plastic waste comes with a huge CO2-reduction. Compared to 1 kilogram of fossil aromatics, BioBTX saves up to 4 kilograms of CO2. Furthermore, all types of plastics can be used for the recycling process, even plastics that normally would have been incinerated. This makes BioBTX a sustainable, future-oriented alternative to fossil fuels.

Future

Right now, final talks are taking place with both investors for the plant and customers. There is already a plot reserved for the plant at the Chemistry Park Delfzijl. BioBTX aims to collect plastic waste within a range of 100 kilometres around Delfzijl. The ultimate goal is to sell the technology, making it possible for companies to build recycling plants right next to waste treatment plants: It is better for the environment compared to transporting all the plastic waste to one plant. The construction of the plant truly marks a new era in sustainable solutions to fossil fuels, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.