Extrusion International 2-2026-USA

22 Extrusion International 2/2026 22 INDUSTRY NEWS tr si I t r ti l / Advanced Pyrolysis Oil Upgrading Technology for Circular Plastics Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, an- nounced the successful completion of a collaborative pilot-scale proj- ect with Borealis, a leading provid- er of advanced and circular poly- ole n solutions, and SINTEF, one of Europe's largest independent research organizations. The part- nership successfully demonstrated Clariant's pyrolysis oil (pyoil) up- grading technology, marking a signi cant milestone in advancing circular economy solutions for the plastics industry. Breakthrough in Plastic Waste Recycling The collaboration centered on up- grading pyoil derived from plastic waste to steam cracker-compatible feedstock that fully meets cracker- grade quality speci cations. Using Clariant's proprietary HDMax cata- lysts, the pilot-scale testing conduct- ed at SINTEF's research facility in Norway delivered excellent results, successfully transforming plastic waste-derived pyoil into high-quali- ty feedstock suitable for virgin poly- ole n production. The HDMax catalyst achieved full conversion across all critical param- eters: complete saturation of dienes without gum formation — a cru- cial requirement for downstream processing — along with complete conversion of contaminants like oxygenates, nitrogenates, and ha- logenides. All product quality speci- cations were met, validating the technology's readiness for industrial application. "This successful collaboration proves that closed-loop plastic re- cycling can work effectively on an industrial scale," said Gene Muel- ler, VP and Head of Ethylene at Clariant Catalysts. "Our HDMax catalyst technology enables plastic waste to be converted back into feedstock that meets the strin- gent quality requirements of steam crackers, creating a true circular pathway for plastics.“ Industry-Leading Ef ciency Through Single-Step Processing A key differentiator of Clariant's HDMax technology is its ability to achieve all required speci cations in a single multi-layer hydrotreat- ing reactor, compared to alterna- tive technologies that require three to four reactors. This streamlined process signi cantly reduces capital investment, operational complexity, and energy consumption. Addition- ally, the technology enables sub- sequent hydrocracking to produce naphtha-like hydrocarbon fractions, further enhancing process ef cien - cy and product exibility. The three-party partnership lever- aged the unique strengths of each organization: • Clariant provided a tailored cata- lyst design and commercial samples of its specialized catalysts: HDMax catalyst for pyoil upgrading and HY- DEX™ for hydrocracking. • Borealis de ned the required target quality of the pyoil and con- tributed industry expertise as a leading European polyole n pro - ducer offering chemically recycled polyole n solutions under the Bor - cycle™ C portfolio. • SINTEF conducted comprehen- sive pilot-scale testing and valida- tion at their state-of-the-art re- search facility in Norway Advancing the Circular Economy The successful demonstration validates a proven pathway for re- integrating recycled plastic-derived materials into industrial produc- tion of high-quality materials. By converting plastic waste back into high-quality feedstock, this tech- nology supports the transition to a more circular economy where plas- tic materials can be recycled with- out compromising on quality. This pilot-scale validation demonstrates how strategic collaboration accel- erates innovative circular plastics solutions. The partners' combined expertise in specialty chemicals, re- search capabilities, and industrial production knowledge has created a foundation for further develop- ment and potential commercial implementation. Clariant www.clariant.com HDMax: Enabling the circular economy through proven pyoil upgading technology (© Clariant)