Clariant unveils portfolio for purifying pyrolysis oil derived from mixed plastic waste

  • New HDMax® catalysts and Clarit adsorbents are designed for the purification of pyrolysis oil made from mixed plastic waste to achieve cracker compatible feedstock
  • The portfolio answers the need for flexible and economical solutions to remove a wide range of contaminants, regardless of process configuration and plastic waste feedstock
  • Used together, the adsorbents extend the lifetime of the catalyst by reducing impurities

MUNICH, October 21, 2022 – Driven by its vision to enable a circular economy, Clariant launched an innovative portfolio of flexible, custom solutions for the emerging market of chemical plastics recycling.

The new HDMax catalysts and Clarit adsorbents are designed for the purification of pyrolysis oil made from hard-to-recycle mixed plastic waste. Tailored to remove a wide range of contaminants that are continuously changing in the feed, the new products provide the flexibility producers need, regardless of process configuration. Clariant’s solution also includes operational assistance from startup to process optimization, which continues throughout the lifetime of the product.

As a result, producers benefit from highly efficient impurity removal to achieve pyrolysis oil that is compatible with ethylene plants.

Pyrolysis oils are made from a chemical recycling process that breaks polymers down into basic building blocks to be used for new feedstock streams. Since the process helps to reduce the environmental burden created by plastic waste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled, it enables a circular value chain for the production of base chemicals.

Jens Cuntze, President of Catalysts at Clariant, said, “The development of more sustainable catalyst technologies is crucial as we support our customers’ move toward a more circular economy with alternative feedstock sources. Our portfolio reflects not only our flexibility and commitment to our customers, but also our pledge to deliver innovation-driven sustainability.”

Nina Karpynec, Head of Marketing, Innovation, and Sustainability, Business Unit Adsorbents & Additives at Clariant, added, “Clariant is well-positioned for the decontamination of pyrolysis oil, drawing upon over 100 years of expertise in the purification of edible oils and of feedstock for renewable fuels. The company has a long history of producing adsorbents for a variety of feedstocks and contaminants, especially with heavy and broad distillation ranges.”

The launch is another milestone for Clariant’s EcoCircle initiative, established throughout the company to support the transition from a one-way plastics value chain toward a circular plastics economy.

For more information, visit: https://www.clariant.com/en/Business-Units/Catalysts/Energy-Transition/Plastic-Recycling. ™ TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT
HDMax® IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.