Saipem and Garbo have set their sights on the industrialization, development and international commercialization on a global scale of a new plastic recycling technology.
Saipem said in a statement that the technology, called ChemPET, is Garbo’s patented depolymerization technology that converts waste plastic from polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, into new, high-quality PET and thus of high value for the chemical and food industry.
The agreement also provides for Saipem and Garbo to collaborate in the industrial-scale construction of Italy’s first chemical plastics recycling plant, located in Cerano, in the province of Novara.
ChemPET is based on a chemical recycling technology that, unlike the mechanical process, allows the recycling of types of plastics for which there are currently no alternative solutions (such as colored plastics) and produces higher quality material that, unlike the mechanical process, it does not lose its properties as it is recycled, said Saipem.
ChemPET also allows for simpler process and by-product management and does not involve the use of flammable or hazardous substances, the release said. Therefore, it represents a solution to the expected growth in the demand for recycling plastics and PET in particular, also in the light of increasingly strict regulations, the statement added. Today, PET is mainly used for the production of bottles and containers.
“This agreement is in line with Saipem’s strategy in low-carbon industrial segments and allows us to enrich our portfolio of technologies and solutions for the circular economy and sustainable chemical industry,” commented Fabrizio Botta, Commercial Director from Saipem.
“This agreement allows ChemPET to consolidate its technological leadership in crPET through the immediate industrialization of the two 22.5 kTA units in Cerano and the licensing of the technology on a global scale,” added Guido Fragiacomo, CEO of Garbo.
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