Chemicals group LyondellBasell and Kirkbi A/S, the family-run holding and investment company of the Lego brand, are jointly investing in APK, a company specialising in solvent-based recycling technology for low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
APK has set itself the goal of increasing the recycling of multi-layer flexible packaging, which today accounts for the majority of mixed plastic waste from the consumer sector. To this end, APK has the solvent-based Newcycling process which separates the different polymers from multi-layer packaging materials and Recyclates with a high degree of purity produced, that are suitable for new packaging materials.
As part of the agreement, LyondellBasell and Kirkbi will become minority shareholders in APK and will invest around 130 million euros in APK together with other co-investors. There are plans to build further Newcycling plants in order to increase production capacity.
„We need to drive the recycling of all types of plastic waste generated today to support the goal of a circular economy and meet the increasing demand for high-quality recycled products. The further development of this technology through our investment in APK will make it possible, Return more plastic packaging waste to the value chain and meet consumer and brand owner demand for more sustainable packaging. Products manufactured using Newcycling technology will be an excellent addition to our existing Circulen product portfolio, which currently offers our customers mechanical and advanced recycling solutions.“
Yvonne van der Laan, Executive Vice President, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions at LyondellBasell.
APK offers a promising, scalable technology for LDPE recycling that can help increase the circularity of plastics and minimise plastic waste to contribute to a more sustainable environment in the future, says Damir Hamzic, Head of Circular Plastics Investment at Kirkbi. „We look forward to providing strategic, financial and commercial support, while APK is developing a technology that complements mechanical and chemical recycling.“ Kirkbi's Circular Plastics Investment division 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 produce high-quality LDPE recyclates from mixed plastic waste - highly efficient and with both economic and ecological benefits. We have been proving for years at our plant in Merseburg that this is also possible on an industrial scale,“ says Susanne Küppers, Member of the Management Board of APK AG and Managing Director of APK NCC. „We are delighted to now be able to ignite the next stage and are proud to have two strong supporters at our side in LyondellBasell and KirkbiI, who bring a great deal of additional expertise, for example in the areas of polymer design and application expertise, .“
Source: APK
