The SC-HOOP Project

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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 (also referred to as pyrolysis oil), converting 6000 tons per year of secondary raw material from mixed plastic waste,  with absolute greenhouse gas emissions avoidance of 139.838 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent over the first ten years of operation compared to equivalent virgin naphtha production from oil refinery and with a relative greenhouse gas emissions avoidance of 81% compared to the reference scenario. The entire process is designed to provide greater benefits from both an economic and environmental viewpoint.

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.

hoop@versalis.eni.com

• July 13^th, 2023 - The selection of SC-HOOP by the EU Commission for the EU Innovation Fund;
• October 31^st, 2023 - The groundbreaking event for the construction of the SC-HOOP Demo plant in Mantua;
• December 20^th, 2023 - Signing of the Grant Agreement;
• January 23^rd,2024 - Innovation Fund – National Infoday;
• March 6^th, 2024 - Meeting with Lombardia Regional Councilor for Economic Development on Versalis long-term strategy. During the meeting, Versalis management also shared updates on SC-HOOP;
• April 18^th, 2024 -Giflex Conference – Development of technologies for plastics recycling;
• May 16^th, 2024 - Public Conference held by Regione Lombardia “European Chemical Regions Network – ECRN”.

• October 4^th, 2024 - Re-Think Circular Economy Forum;
• October 28^th-30th - “The role of the chemistry in Europe” organized by Regione Lombardia in collaboration with other EU regions as Baden-Wurttemberg, Rodano-Alpi, Catalogna. During the event, it is scheduled a site visit to Hoop® building area;
• November 5^th – 8th, 2024 - Ecomondo- The Green Technology Expo, main Italian exhibition on green and circular economy;
• November 17^th 2024 - Mantova Scienza Festival, Versalis will deliver a speech on its Mantua activities mentioning SC-HOOP project.