Borealis has joined forces with Project ELECTRO, a cutting-edge EU-funded initiative that aims to drive Europe toward a climate-neutral, circular plastics system. 

 

The project unites leading universities, research institutes, and industry players to develop electrified, high-efficiency recycling technologies capable of transforming low-quality plastic waste into premium raw materials.

 

Project ELECTRO is reshaping the future of recycling by developing electrified thermochemical processes that convert mixed and hard-to-recycle plastics — including multilayer packaging and contaminated materials — into high-purity olefins like ethylene and propylene. By replacing fossil-based energy with renewable electricity, the project aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%, aligning with the EU’s circularity and decarbonization goals.

 

As a key consortium partner, Borealis heads the work package focused on enabling circular feedstocks for efficient steam cracking. Its contributions include evaluating full-range pyrolysis oil (pyoil) and its fractions; optimizing circular hydrocarbon mixtures for large-scale cracking; developing cracking strategies tailored to diverse pyoil qualities.

 

Borealis also connects Project ELECTRO with Project STOP, its internationally recognized waste management initiative co-founded with Systemiq in 2017. Plastics collected from households in Indonesia through Project STOP are fed into ELECTRO’s research, allowing the consortium to test chemical recycling on challenging, low-value waste streams.

 

“At Borealis, we’re committed to scaling circular solutions through innovation and strong partnerships. Together with our ELECTRO partners, we’re proving how electrified chemical recycling can turn challenging waste streams into valuable resources for a circular economy,” said Manjunath Patil, Senior Engineer Innovation & Technology at Borealis.

 

“Project ELECTRO combines top-tier scientific expertise with real-world testing. Our collaboration with Borealis – and the integration of material from Project STOP – shows how cross-sector innovation can unlock scalable solutions for both industry and society,” added Kevin Van Geem, Professor at Ghent University and Project ELECTRO coordinator.