BP Infinia will transform PET waste into virgin-quality feedstocks. Credit: IBM Research.

BP has developed a technology that can recycle polyethene terephthalate (PET), which is a plastic waste that was previously considered unrecyclable.

The new technologyBP Infinia can transform PET waste into new, virgin-quality feedstocks.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The company plans to build a $25m pilot plant before launching the product for full-scale commercialisation.

BP Downstream chief executive Tufan Erginbilgic said: “We see our Infinia technology as a gamechanger for the recycling of PET plastics. It is an important stepping stone in enabling a stronger circular economy in the polyester industry and helping to reduce unmanaged plastic waste.”

The technology can transform difficult-to-recycle PET plastic waste such as black food trays and coloured bottles into recycled feedstocks that are very similar to those produced from conventional hydrocarbon sources.

The recycled feedstocks can be used to make new recyclable PET. This reduces the need for downcycling and diverts plastic waste from landfill and reduces incineration.

BP petrochemicals technology, licensing and business development vice-president Charles Damianides said: “We have long experience and a proven track record of scaling technology and we firmly believe that this innovation can ultimately contribute to making all types of polyester waste infinitely recyclable.”

The new facility will become operational in 2020. It will be located at the company’s research and development hub in Naperville, Illinois.

The technology will prevent billions of PET bottles and trays from being incinerated every year.

PET is the most popular plastic in beverage and rigid food packaging. As much as 27 million tonnes of PET are used around the world every year.