Viridor closes European chemical recycling operations

Viridor closed its European chemical recycling operations in Oslo (Norway), Skive (Denmark) and Malmo (Sweden). The closure of all operations has been completed at the end of June 2026.

Chemical recycling plant in Skive, Denmark.

This closure comes despite significant operational progress across the business. Since acquiring the Quantafuel platform, Viridor has achieved dry yields of 70-75%, and has demonstrated the ability to successfully recycle contaminated household plastics that cannot be processed through conventional mechanical recycling methods.

Viridor has long called for stronger policy support and greater regulatory certainty to help create the conditions needed for the sector to grow and attract investment, and believes advanced plastics recycling has an important role to play in the circular economy.

However, current market dynamics and continued policy uncertainty mean conditions are not yet supporting the sector commercially. Demand for recycled material has weakened, while cheaper virgin materials continue to undercut recycled alternatives. At the same time, policy and regulation are not creating the certainty, enforcement or long-term support needed to continue operations. 

“Advanced plastics recycling has an important role to play in the circular economy, but without stronger market conditions, greater regulatory certainty and the right policy support, the sector is not commercially viable. We remain committed to delivering a circular economy and hope the conditions will exist in the future for this technology to fulfil its potential,” said Lee Hodder, Managing Director, Carbon Capture and Circular Solutions at Viridor.

Viridor remains committed to delivering a circular economy, preventing waste from going to landfill and supporting decarbonization. While advanced plastics recycling has a vital role to play, stronger market conditions and policy support are needed for the sector to succeed.