PolyStyreneLoop - The circular economy in action

Abstract

For decades polystyrene (PS) foam is known as an efficient insulation material in the building and construction environment. At the end of its very long useful life, the waste remains a valuable material source for a variety of products. However, the flame retardant HBCD, which has been used since the 1960s until 2017, is considered a pollutant and millions of tons of PS foam waste can no longer be regularly recycled. PolyStyreneLoop is developing a solution with a physico-chemical recycling process, based on the CreaSolv® Technology. The applied technology turns PS foam waste into new high-quality raw material. During the recycling process, impurities, such as cement or other construction residues, as well as the imbedded flame retardant HBCD are safely removed. The HBCD is destroyed, while the valuable bromine component and polystyrene are recovered. In 2019 an industrial scale demonstration plant (with the capability to handle 3.3 kt of PS insulation foam waste per year) will be built in the Netherlands. The plant is aimed at starting up by the end of 2019. Subsequently the technical, economic and environmental viability of this new recycling process will be assessed. When proven to be successful, the process will be further rolled out with additional commercial plants in other countries throughout Europe.