NOVA Chemicals has partnered with Plastic Energy to look into the feasibility of developing a pyrolysis-driven advanced recycling facility in the Sarnia region.
The agreement between the two companies was announced on Wednesday.
If plans follow through and a facility is constructed, NOVA said it would be the largest of its kind in Canada with a potential initial capacity of 66 kilotonnes per year.
"Together with NOVA Chemicals, we aim to reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills, incineration, or as leakage into the environment, which is important for the circular economy in Canada,” said Plastic Energy Founder and CEO Carlos Monreal in a joint media release.
Plastic Energy is a global leader when it comes to advanced recycling through a patented process called "TAC™" which is used to treat plastic waste after it's used by a consumer.
"Recycled polyethylene manufactured using Plastic Energy-produced feedstock, called TACOIL™, has identical properties to virgin polyethylene and can be used in food contact and high-performance applications, helping manufacturers and packagers achieve their recycled content goals," read the release.
If the facility is built, it would fall in line with NOVA's goal of reaching 30 per cent recycled content as a share of its total polyethylene sales by 2030, as outlined in its Roadmap to Sustainability Leadership.
“Post-use plastics offer tremendous value to furthering the circular economy, and our teams at NOVA Chemicals work daily to innovate new and collaborative ways to extend the lifecycle of our products and plastic packaging,” said NOVA Circular Solutions Vice President Greg DeKunder.
NOVA Chemicals operates multiple manufacturing facilities in Sarnia-Lambton. Meanwhile, Plastic Energy currently operates two commercial recycling plants in Spain along with other projects in Europe and Asia.