LyondellBasell, a global leader in the chemical industry and KIRKBI A/S, the family-owned holding and investment company of the LEGO brand, have signed an agreement to make an investment in APK, which specializes in a unique solvent-based recycling technology for low density polyethylene (LDPE).

APK aims to increase the recycling of multi-layer flexible packaging materials, which today make up the majority of mixed plastic waste from the consumer sector.

To this end, APK has developed the unique solvent-based Newcycling process, which separates the different polymers of multi-layer packaging materials and produces recycled materials with a high degree of purity suitable for new packaging materials.

LyondellBasell and KIRKBI invest in APK to further develop recycling technology.

Under the agreement, LyondellBasell and KIRKBI will become minority shareholders in APK and together with other co-investors will invest approximately 130 million Euros in APK. Further Newcyling Plants are planned to be built to increase the production capacity.

"Products made using this unique Newcycling solvent-based technology will be a great complementary addition to our existing Circulen product portfolio, which currently offers mechanical and advanced recycling solutions to our customers," shared Yvonne van der Laan, LyondellBasell Executive Vice President, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions. 

"We are happy to announce our investment in APK. KIRKBI believes APK offers a promising scalable technology in LDPE recycling that can help increase the circularity of plastics and minimize plastic waste, to contribute to a more sustainable environment in the future," says Damir Hamzic, Head of the Circular Plastics Investment area in KIRKBI, which focuses on investments that contribute to the transition to a more circular plastics economy.

"Our Newcycling technology makes it possible to close the loop even with complex waste streams and to produce high-quality LDPE recyclates from mixed plastic waste - highly efficient and offering both economic and ecological advantages," said Susanne Küppers, Member of the Executive Board of APK AG and Managing Director of APK NCC.