With commissioning expected in 2027, the new recycling plant will manufacture 100% recycled and infinitely recyclable virgin-quality pet resin
A bird’s-eye view of the plastic recycling joint plant of SK Geo Centric, SUEZ, and Loop Industries. (Credit: SK innovation Co., Ltd)
SK Geo Centric (SKGC), SUEZ, and Loop Industries have selected the Chemesis industrial platform in Saint-Avold, located in the Grand Est region of France, as the site for the first European Infinite Loop manufacturing facility.
SKGC is a South Korean petrochemical producer and SUEZ provides circular solutions for water and waste management.
Loop is a clean technology company that produces 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic and polyester fibre to achieve the circular plastics economy.
The facility will be developed using the experience of SKGC in petrochemical processes, the expertise of SUEZ in resource management and the depolymerisation technology of Loop.
The project is supported by the French Ministries of Industry and Ecology, the Grand Est region and the Saint-Avold Synergy region community.
The plant is expected to generate 200 new jobs and represents a projected overall investment of €450m.
With a proposed annual production capacity of 70,000 metric tonnes, the facility will produce virgin-quality polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin that is 100% recycled and infinitely recyclable.
SKGC said that the plant will assist meet the growing demand for PET and will help firms to achieve their sustainability goals by using more recycled material in their packaging and goods.
The Saint-Avold Chemesis industrial platform is strategically located in the centre of Europe and offers an effective industrial and infrastructure network.
SKGC CEO Na Kyung-Soo said: “We are pleased to achieve the meaningful milestone of selecting the Infinite Loop Europe project location in France.
“SK Geo Centric is committed to contribute its extensive petrochemical operating experience to this strategic partnership with Loop and SUEZ which will lead to a sustainable circular economy and a low-carbon future in Europe.”
The commissioning of the facility is scheduled for 2027, and the three partners expect to begin building work in early 2025.
At present, SKGC and Loop are focused on the planning of the facility in Ulsan, South Korea, which is anticipated to break ground this year.