ALTERRA - Proven and robust liquefaction technology for hard-to-recycle plastics

Chemical recycling through thermochemical liquefaction and intermediate refining can turn discarded plastics into valuable, high-quality raw materials for new polymers and chemicals. Alterra is a commercially proven and reliable liquefaction technology designed to process heterogenous, hard-to-recycle plastics, and demonstrated at scale for an industry-leading length of time.

Process solution

Alterra’s rotary kiln thermal decomposition reactor is operated at elevated temperatures and oxygen-free conditions. Its advanced design ensures precise thermal control, avoids hot spots and limits fouling. This enables stable, continuous performance even when processing complex and mixed waste plastic streams.

Alterra process efficiently breaks down the long hydrocarbon chains in plastics into short hydrocarbons, which are then condensed into a circular oil for use in oil refining or petrochemical processes. The technology is commercially proven in a continuously operated reference plant by Alterra in Akron, Ohio, USA. This demonstrates its technical robustness as well as its long term reliability in industrial conditions.

Nerea™: A standardized product solution for the chemical recycling of hard-to-recycle plastics

Nerea™ is a standardized, repeatable product based on Alterra's proven recycling technology, Neste's chemical recycling expertise, and Technip Energies' industrial delivery capability. Nerea is supplied to the customer as an Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication (EPF) delivery. The standard product deployment accelerates time-to-revenue, improves business case accuracy and minimizes project development cost.

Read more about Nerea™ solution

What are the benefits of Alterra technology?

Read more about numerous benefits of Alterra

Operational benefits

Technology proven in continuous, commercial scale operation by Alterra in Akron, Ohio, USA.
Robust and fouling resistant design for processing hard-to-recycle plastics.
Improved energy efficiency enabled by optimized heat transfer within the rotary kiln reactor.
Quality and engineering assurance provided by Technip Energies.

Project benefits

Standardized design minimizes cost and engineering schedule before final investment decision.
Technology licensor Neste is one of the most advanced and knowledgeable players in chemical recycling.
EPF (Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication) delivery by renowned and reliable engineering partner Technip Energies.
The combined technology and value chain expertise of Neste, Alterra and Technip Energies mitigates project risk and helps ensure consistent plant performance.

Economical benefits

Standardized design improves business case accuracy and project predictability, and accelerates project delivery and subsequent investment returns.
Liquefied waste plastic is a valuable circular resource.
Robust design enables valorization of heterogeneous discarded plastics.

Environmental benefits

An LCA shows over 35%* reduction of GHG emissions and over 70%* reduction in the use of fossil resources, when chemical recycling through liquefaction and intermediate refining replaces the use of virgin fossil resources and the incineration of plastic waste.
By converting hard-to-recycle plastics that currently end up in incineration or landfill, the technology accelerates plastics’ circularity and supports regulatory compliance on circularity mandates.

_{*) Source:}_{Life Cycle Assessment on Environmental Impacts of Chemical recycling of waste plastic - Case Neste (October 2022)}

Download our essential product information on Alterra process technology for liquefaction

Download PDF

Neste, Alterra and Technip Energies collaborate to offer standardized solution to build chemical recycling plants

Neste, Alterra and Technip Energies have signed a collaboration agreement to advance the circularity of plastics by providing the industry a standardized technology solution for chemical recycling, also referred to as “advanced recycling”.

News and insights

Chemical recycling of plastic: Neste acquires European rights to Alterra Energy’s thermochemical liquefaction technology

Neste has purchased the European rights to Alterra Energy’s liquefaction technology. Alterra Energy is a US-based company that has developed a proprietary thermochemical solution for liquefaction of hard-to-recycle plastic.

News and insights

Neste acquires minority stake in Alterra Energy; companies partnering to commercialize Alterra’s waste plastic liquefaction technology in Europe

Neste has acquired a minority stake in Alterra Energy, an innovative chemical recycling technology company. The collaboration between the companies will include joint technology development and global technology licensing.