The SC-HOOP Project

Sustainability Circular economy

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The Versalis SC-HOOP Project indicates the realisation of the chemical recycling pilot plant being constructed at Mantova and due to be complete by the end of 2024. The plant is based on Versalis’ proprietary pyrolysis technology named Hoop® and is designed to valorise the plastic waste that is not currently recycled.

The Hoop® process will turn secondary material derived from recycled mixed plastic waste (feedstock) into a recycled naphtha (r-naphtha). This latter can subsequently be used to replace or be added as an alternative feedstock in the steam-cracking process to produce new intermediates as well as polymers suitable for all applications, with benefits in terms of sustainability, yield, higher feedstock flexibility and quality.

The Mantova pilot plant will produce almost 5000 tonnes per year of r-naphtha, converting 6000 tons per year of mixed plastic waste. An industrial scale-up will follow in the proximity of a steam-cracking plant, which makes the whole process economically and environmentally more convenient, enhancing energy and material recovery.

Of all the collected plastic waste in Europe, only about a third is recycled since plastic products are mainly made up of heterogeneous materials with complex structures. These are difficult to re-process whilst maintaining the quality standards, they can hinder mechanical recycling and they can cause downcycling.

Chemical recycling through Hoop® technology, and thus the SC-HOOP® project, is complementary to Versalis mechanical recycling initiatives and significantly improves the circularity of plastic products, closing the loop of their lifecycle.

The Project supports the implementation and development of circular economy. In particular, it is strategic for us to achieve the challenging EU recycling targets and full circularity of plastics. Moreover, it is the only Italian initiative that has been awarded, out of 41 total winners, the 2023 ‘EU Innovation Fund’, allocated by the European Commission and focused on innovative low-carbon technologies.

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The SC-HOOP Project

Contacts:

Project news:

Hoop® in the CINEA list for the Innovation Fund

Versalis: construction site for plastics chemical recycling plant opens in Mantua

Hoop® project awarded EU Innovation Fund

Versalis to launch Hoop™, chemical recycling towards infinitely recyclable plastic

Cinea website