In mid-2023, we successfully completed the first test in Spain for producing circular chemical components from single-use plastic waste -such as plastic bags or disposable cutlery— collected from gray waste containers. This pilot project, carried out at our La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva, is enabling us to produce circular phenol and acetone, along with other raw materials used to create recycled plastics.
These materials have a wide range of applications in the renewable energy sector. For example, phenol is used for the manufacture of wind turbine blades or solar panels. It also has more everyday uses such as garden furniture or car dashboards and bumpers.On the other hand, acetone is widely used as a solvent and is a key component in the manufacturing of paints, coatings, cleaning products and personal care items.
Following the success of the industrial development, the project is now in the scaling phase and being extended to our other industrial centers. Our aim is that by 2026, 5% of the raw materials used to produce acetone and phenol will come from this type of circular raw materials—materials that were previously discarded and are now being given a second life. Achieving this will require using up to 150,000 tons of pyrolysis oil derived from plastic waste.
When it comes to this production process based on circular economy techniques, we start by reusing around 1,000 tons of single-use plastic waste converted into pyrolysis oil, through a process of thermochemical decomposition. This oil is what we use in our industrial facilities to convert it into phenol, acetone and other circular raw materials for the chemical industry.
For every ton of these circular materials we produce, we reduce emissions by 42% compared to traditional production methods. This progress brings us closer to the ambitious objectives set out in our Circular Economy Strategy, as we continue to increase the use of renewable and circular raw materials in our production processes, driving our commitment to a zero-waste future.
