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| LYB |
Chemical Giant Makes Major Strides in Circular Plastics and Carbon Reduction
Global plastics and chemical manufacturer LyondellBasell (LYB) has published its 2024 sustainability report, highlighting a 65% rise in the use of recycled and renewable-based polymers and multiple initiatives supporting circularity, carbon reduction, and safety.
The report, titled “From Vision to Value”, outlines LYB’s continued shift toward a circular and low-carbon economy. The company increased recycled and renewable-based polymer usage to 203,000 metric tons, bringing it closer to its 2030 goal of 2 million metric tons annually. This move is part of the firm’s Circular and Low Carbon Solutions (CLCS) business strategy, launched in 2022, aimed at capturing over $1 billion in incremental EBITDA.
LYB also safely shut down refining operations at its Houston refinery in Q1 2025, expected to cut Scope 3 emissions by 40 million metric tons annually. New power purchase agreements secured in 2024 will help meet the target of 50% renewable electricity use by 2030.
Recycling Investments and Circular Tech Take Center Stage
The company is scaling up its Circulen product line, which includes:
- CirculenRecover – for rigid packaging and closures,
- CirculenRevive – for food packaging and healthcare,
- CirculenRenew – for high-quality film and food-grade packaging.
LYB’s recycling technology expansion includes:
- Acquiring and upgrading a California mechanical recycling facility (PCR production began in 2024, upgrades due 2026),
- Investing in a closed-loop center in Germany for automotive and appliance plastics,
- Launching a joint venture with Genox Recycling in China for mechanical recycling,
- Expanding technical compound production in Italy and achieving RecyClass certification at its Ferrara site,
- Acquiring APK AG in Germany, bringing Newcycling multilayer LDPE recycling to LYB’s portfolio.
Construction has also begun on MoReTec-1, a commercial chemical recycling plant in Cologne, expected to process 50,000 metric tons annually. A second, larger MoReTec-2 plant in Houston is also in development.
LYB’s Cyclyx joint venture will add a second Circularity Center (CCC2) in Dallas-Fort Worth by late 2026, adding 136,000 metric tons in annual feedstock capacity. Together with CCC1 in Houston, the facilities will produce 272,000 metric tons yearly for both chemical and mechanical recycling.
Zero Pellet Loss, Safety Milestones, and Long-Term Commitments
In 2024, zero plastic pellets were lost to the environment across LYB’s operations. As a member of Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), LYB tracks, monitors, and reports polymer loss according to ACC guidelines.
The company’s Value Enhancement Program (VEP) has added $800 million in recurring EBITDA and reduced carbon emissions by 310,000 metric tons annually. Out of over 90 manufacturing sites, 70 achieved GoalZERO, and 72 were injury-free in 2024.
CEO Peter Vanacker emphasized LYB’s sustainability vision:
“We are transforming our vision into lasting value, ensuring that we create meaningful impact for our customers, shareholders and society.”
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