Vitol’s WPU to build new plastic recycling plant in Rotterdam

This new WPU facility is set to become one of Europe’s largest chemical recycling plants, utilizing proprietary batch pyrolysis to convert end-of-life plastics into sustainable pyrolysis oil

WPU, the plastics recycling arm of Vitol, is set to build a new chemical recycling plant at the Port of Rotterdam next to its VPR refinery. The facility will handle 80,000 tonnes of post-consumer plastic annually, boosting WPU’s total recycling capacity to 100,000 tonnes.

This new WPU facility is set to become one of Europe’s largest chemical recycling plants, utilizing proprietary batch pyrolysis to convert end-of-life plastics into sustainable pyrolysis oil. This low-carbon feedstock supports the petrochemical industry’s shift toward circularity and aligns with European policies driving higher recycled content.

Jeffrey van Geloof, CEO of WPU and managing director of VPR, said: “This project would mark an important milestone in WPU’s growth. Building on the operating experience we have gained in Denmark, it would significantly expand our recycling capacity and represent the next step in scaling our technology for the European market.”

WPU’s pyrolysis technology has already been successfully deployed at its plant in Farevejle, Denmark, which has a recycling capacity of 20,000 tonnes a year. It is currently operating close to full capacity and is a reliable supplier to its customers. WPU is among the first companies to deploy plastics pyrolysis at commercial scale for end-of-life plastic.

Tom Baker, Vitol’s global head of naphtha and head of the Middle East, said: “We are excited to be taking this significant step towards having a scalable circular economy in the plastics sector. Projects such as this will help tackle the plastic waste problem, expand the availability of alternative raw materials for the petrochemical sector, and lower the overall carbon intensity of manufacturing plastic. Located alongside VPR in Rotterdam, the facility would be well placed to connect recycled output with existing industrial infrastructure and end markets.”

The plant will incorporate state-of-the-art furnace technology designed to reduce emissions and lower energy use. Similar technology has already been deployed at Vitol’s Rotterdam refinery, VPR, which has resulted in a 50% reduction in NOx emissions, an 80% reduction in SO2 emissions and a 40% reduction in energy consumption, making VPR one of the most energy-efficient refineries in Europe.

The project remains subject to the relevant regulatory approvals. A comprehensive stakeholder consultation will be undertaken as part of this process.