The project to create Australia’s first large-scale advanced soft plastics recycling facility has reached another key milestone this month, with Cleanaway Waste Management and Viva Energy Australia short listing two pyrolysis technology vendors and starting a circular plastics recycling feasibility study.
The purpose of the study is to enable Cleanaway and Viva Energy to perform a comprehensive technology and economic assessment of the proposed solution.
This includes gaining deeper insight into the process design, key operating parameters, preliminary financials, product and byproduct qualities, and utility considerations.
Cleanaway and Viva Energy have selected two global leaders in pyrolysis technology, licensing Alterra and Axens to provide a more detailed design of their pyrolysis process to produce Plastic Pyrolysis Oil (PPO).
The PPO would be processed through the Geelong refinery and be converted into food-grade certified circular polypropylene.
“Exploring circular solutions for difficult-to-recycle plastics is a key part of our strategy for the Viva Energy Hub in Geelong,” said Vanessa Lenihan, head of future fuels and decarbonisation at Viva Energy.
“This feasibility study will be critical for us to address key technology risks and ensure we can deliver a sustainable and reliable circular plastic supply chain for Australia.”
The study includes feedstock characterisation and bench scale pyrolysis, which will provide detailed insights into the characteristics of Australian soft plastics and guide the design of pre-treatment steps to ensure the PPO meets the stringent quality specifications required for the refinery.
The two pyrolysis technology providers were shortlisted from an initial screening of more than 100 different technology providers, and were selected on the basis of proven performance in commercial scale operations and demonstration of high environmental and safety standards.
“There is strong support from our customers, brands and consumers for a truly circular solution for post-consumer soft plastics in Australia,” said Jeroen Wassenaar, head of innovation at Cleanaway Waste Management.
“We are excited to take this meaningful step towards its practical implementation.”
The feasibility study is expected to continue until mid-2026 with outcomes informing the next steps required to develop a full-scale facility capable of supplying recycled feedstock for food-grade plastic production across Australia.
