Clariant successfully demonstrates advanced Pyrolysis Oil upgrading technology

Clariant has announced the successful completion of a collaborative pilot-scale project with Borealis, a leading provider of advanced and circular polyolefin solutions, and SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organisations.
The partnership successfully demonstrated Clariant's pyrolysis oil (pyoil) upgrading technology, marking a significant milestone in advancing circular economy solutions for the plastics industry.
The collaboration centered on upgrading pyoil derived from plastic waste to steam cracker-compatible feedstock that fully meets cracker-grade quality specifications.
Using Clariant's proprietary HDMax catalysts, the pilot-scale testing conducted at SINTEF's research facility in Norway delivered excellent results, successfully transforming plastic waste-derived pyoil into high-quality feedstock suitable for virgin polyolefin production.
"This successful collaboration proves that closed-loop plastic recycling can work effectively on an industrial scale," said Gene Mueller, VP and head of ethylene at Clariant Catalysts.
"Our HDMax catalyst technology enables plastic waste to be converted back into feedstock that meets the stringent quality requirements of steam crackers, creating a true circular pathway for plastics.”
A key differentiator of Clariant's HDMax technology is its ability to achieve all required specifications in a single multi-layer hydrotreating reactor, compared to alternative technologies that require three to four reactors.