Recycled Neste RE

Recycled Neste RE is produced through chemical recycling of liquefied plastic waste. Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling as it originates from low-quality waste streams not suitable for mechanical recycling and destined for incineration or landfills.

While mechanical recycling maintains the polymeric structure of the plastics, chemical recycling breaks up the physical and chemical structure converting it to raw materials (hydrocarbons) that meet strict technical, safety and hygiene standards.

We upgrade and produce raw materials from liquified plastic waste sourced from our suppliers.

Steps in chemical recycling

Collection and sorting of waste plastic

Challenging waste plastic streams – such as multi-layer packaging, mixed plastic waste, and contaminated plastics – not suitable for mechanical recycling.

Pre-processing

From the waste plastic, which comes from the reject stream of mechanical recycling, unsuitable materials such as paper, PVC and moisture need to be removed before processing.

Liquefaction

The solid substance is converted into liquid form through pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction or any other liquefaction technology. Neste already works with suppliers of different technologies.

Upgrading

The upgrading process is a combination of novel technology developed inhouse by Neste and traditional oil refining technologies.

Refining

In the conventional refinery, the upgraded liquefied waste plastic is co-processed with fossil products into a drop-in petrochemical feed, Recycled Neste RE.

Steam cracking

Petrochemical industry partners turn Recycled Neste RE into building blocks for making plastics and everyday products.

Polymerization

Manufacturers of performance material (converters) take these building blocks and turn them into new plastic materials.

Neste’s upgrading process

The upgrading process is a combination of novel technology developed in-house by Neste and traditional oil refining technologies. The innovative process removes impurities (everything except carbon and hydrogen); "cracks" heavy fractions to maximize yield into the lighter fractions for the chemical industry; and stabilizes the oil to ensure it is a "drop-in" replacement for conventional fossil raw materials. After the upgrading process, the liquefied waste plastic is co-processed together with fossil products. A mass balance approach is applied to attribute the recycled raw materials used in the process to the recycled Neste RE™ product.

Impact: Reducing reliance on virgin fossil raw materials.