Freepoint Eco-Systems International Ltd and Source One GmbH have announced a long-term collaboration to develop multiple pretreatment facilities across Europe aimed at advancing plastic waste recycling infrastructure. According to the companies, these installations will convert mixed plastic waste, including post-consumer recycled streams and flexible films, into high-quality feedstock suitable for both advanced recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis, and mechanical recycling processes.
Freepoint Eco-Systems plans to lead the construction of this network of pretreatment plants targeting key European markets, with Source One serving as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor. Source One’s pretreatment technology, which has been commercially proven, is designed to efficiently handle complex plastic waste mixtures while reducing energy use and environmental impact. The collaboration represents an effort to overcome critical bottlenecks in plastic waste processing by producing feedstock that meets stringent quality standards required for high-value recycling.
The companies stated that their partnership supports the broader regulatory frameworks driving sustainability in Europe, including the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which mandate increased use of recycled content in packaging materials. Freepoint Eco-Systems indicated it intends to use material processed in these facilities for its own pyrolysis plants and to supply other recycling initiatives on the continent.
Speaking about the collaboration, Freepoint Eco-Systems’ Chief Commercial Officer for Recycling Europe highlighted the strategic nature of the partnership as essential for scaling the commercial viability of pyrolysis in plastic recycling. The CEO of Source One emphasised the shared vision of advancing the circular economy by enhancing the quality and efficiency of plastic feedstock recovery through innovative pretreatment technology.
This move is part of Freepoint Eco-Systems’ wider ambition to become a leading supplier of recycled feedstock in Europe, complementing earlier initiatives including agreements to develop advanced recycling and feedstock supply chains in North America. For instance, Freepoint has previously secured agreements with major chemical companies and partnered with waste management firms to build advanced recycling facilities and sorting infrastructure, demonstrating its commitment to expanding the supply of recycled plastics at scale globally.
While this latest collaboration focuses on the pretreatment phase crucial to unlocking the potential of plastic feeds for pyrolysis and mechanical recycling, challenges remain across the sector. The need to achieve high-quality, consistent feedstock while managing regulatory compliance and economic feasibility continues to test many advanced recycling projects worldwide. However, the partnership between Freepoint Eco-Systems and Source One aims to set new standards for operational efficiency and sustainability in the recycling value chain.
By addressing these challenges and aligning with European legislative drivers, this joint effort could play a significant role in accelerating the continent’s transition to a more circular plastic economy, reducing reliance on fossil-based feedstocks, and mitigating plastic waste environmental impacts.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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