Results show depolymerised styrene reduces up to 50% CO2 footprint

INEOS Styrolution, a leading global styrenics supplier, has announced first results of a life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis for depolymerised styrene according to the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. The results confirm the developing story revealing polystyrene to be a valuable polymer contributing to the circular economy.

INEOS Styrolution has announced results of a life cycle assessment analysis for depolymerised styrene.

Two independent research projects resulted in a consistent picture for the carbon footprint of recycled polystyrene:

• First, a laboratory scale project shows GHG (greenhouse gas) savings of 37%. The making of styrene from post-consumer polystyrene waste shows a 37% lower CO2 footprint compared to fossil-based styrene. Further CO2 reduction is possible by adapting the energy mix.
  
  The LCA analysis was done in the framework of the ResolVe project, a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, in collaboration with InVerTec, a non-profit organization associated with the University of Bayreuth. InVerTec is specialised in providing pilot plants for conceptual and lab-scale research. Upscaling and optimisation of by-products allow for GHG savings up to 50%

• Second, upscaling and optimisation of by-products allow for GHG savings up to 50%. A detailed study completed by INEOS Styrolution, a commercial recycling partner and experts from the University of Manchester evaluated the GHG on commercial scale within a scope including polystyrene postconsumer waste collection/ sorting, pre-treatment and extrusion/ depolymerisation/ distillation.
  
  The results of the analysis show a 50% lower carbon footprint than that of traditional virgin (fossil-based) styrene monomer production.

“After having received the ICIS Award 2019 for polystyrene from recycled styrene via depolymerisation of recycled polystyrene, now we could for the first time prove that this technology is favorable regarding energy efficiency and CO2 footprint,” said Norbert Niessner, Global R&D/ Intellectual Property Director at INEOS Styrolution.