The plant will be located in Europe in the port's fast-growing NextGen District of Belgium and will have an initial capacity of 130 million pounds

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PureCycle will build its first PP recycling facility in NextGen District in Belgium. (Credit: PureCycle)

US-based chemical firm PureCycle Technologies and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have selected NextGen District in Belgium as the site for the former’s first polypropylene (PP) recycling facility in Europe.

The new recycling facility will initially have an annual capacity of 59,000 metric tons, with the potential to expand capacity in the future.

According to PureCycle, the 14-hectare plot can install up to four processing lines with an expected total capacity of approximately 240,000 metric tons annually.

The chemical firm is currently dealing with feedstock sourcing and financial planning to achieve a final project timeline by mid-2023.

PureCycle said that the work of the plant is expected to begin upon completion of the permitting process, which is expected next year.

PureCycle European operations vice-president Wiebe Schipper said: “The announcement of our first location in Europe marks the next phase in executing PureCycle’s global growth strategy.

“We are excited to bring our Ultra-Pure Recycled (UPR) resin to customers in Europe, where companies and policies are at the forefront of the circular economy.

“Our team at PureCycle looks forward to creating a more sustainable future together.”

The Ultra-Pure Recycled (UPR) resin from PureCycle will be supplied to the European market by the new PP purification facility.

The project is claimed to be one of the biggest investments in the NextGen District and will initially generate 65-70 new jobs for locals during the starting phase of the project.

The NextGen District is situated at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, which is Europe’s second-largest seaport, said the US-based chemical firm.

Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren said: “The Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ NextGen District is committed to creating an innovation hotspot where companies dedicated to building a circular economy and developing sustainable solutions to some of the world’s toughest climate and environmental challenges can thrive.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with PureCycle on this strategic project to help bring that vision to life.”