Cepsa has successfully completed the first operation in Spain for the co-processing of recycled plastic pyrolysis oil. The project, carried out at the La Rábida Energy Park in Huelva, enabled the production of raw material that the company then converted into circular phenol and acetone from discarded single-use plastics, such as plastic bags or plastic cutlery.
The press release stated that to carry out the first test, 300 tons of waste plastic were recycled, giving a second life to plastics that cannot be reused and that would have ended up in a landfill if they had not been chemically recycled. The plastic waste was used as an alternative raw material to petroleum after being subjected to a temperature of 500°C without oxygen in a reactor with subsequent cooling. As a result, these single-use plastics were converted into raw materials to produce wind turbines, solar panels, and technological products, among many other uses for phenol.
Rafael Larraz, Cepsa’s Research and Development Director commented, “For over a year and a half, the coordination of the different teams involved has been essential for the success of this pioneering test, which has required the joint work of more than fifty professionals from up to eight different areas of the company. At Cepsa we will continue to invest in innovation with the aim of providing more sustainable and efficient solutions”.
Jorge Acitores, Director of La Rábida Energy Park added, “We are proud to once again place Huelva at the forefront of industry. We will continue working at La Rábida Energy Park on this type of project, whereby we have succeeded in giving a second life to raw materials that were destined to be discarded, as part of Cepsa’s commitment to the circular economy”.
Esther González, Director of the Palos Chemical Plant said, “This innovative plastic co-processing operation also opens the possibility of supplying acetone of circular origin to the new Cepsa Química Isopropanol plant project in Huelva, which will be operational in 2025”.
