Freepoint and Source One collaborate to build pretreatment plants in Europe, advancing plastic recycling infrastructure and supporting circular economy goals.
Freepoint Eco-Systems International Ltd (Freepoint Eco-Systems) and Source One GmbH (Source One) have announced their intent to enter into a long-term strategic collaboration aimed at developing multiple pretreatment facilities for advanced plastic recycling across Europe. This partnership is set to significantly bolster efforts to transform post-consumer plastic waste into high-quality feedstock suitable for both advanced and mechanical recycling methods.
As part of the collaboration, Freepoint Eco-Systems will spearhead the development of a network of pretreatment facilities strategically located in various European markets. Source One, with its expertise in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), will serve as the project’s main contractor. The partnership’s primary focus is to establish infrastructure capable of processing mixed plastic waste, including complex streams like post-consumer packaging and flexible films. These waste streams will be converted into standardized, high-quality feedstock for pyrolysis and mechanical recycling processes.
Source One has already demonstrated the viability and effectiveness of its pretreatment concept through commercial-scale operations. Their advanced technology is designed to meet stringent quality standards while maintaining high levels of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. It also addresses the evolving regulatory requirements within Europe, offering a benchmark for operational excellence, compliance, and sustainability.
Jacco de Haas, Chief Commercial Officer of Recycling Europe at Freepoint Eco-Systems, emphasized the strategic nature of the agreement. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in unlocking the true value of plastic waste. By combining our targeted feedstock strategies with Source One’s state-of-the-art pretreatment technology, we are establishing essential infrastructure that supports the commercial scalability of pyrolysis.”
This collaboration is a core part of Freepoint Eco-Systems' broader vision to emerge as a leading supplier of recycled feedstock for advanced recycling facilities across Europe. The feedstock produced from these new pretreatment plants will not only serve Freepoint’s pyrolysis projects but will also support additional recycling and upcycling initiatives throughout the continent.
Kai Hoyer, Founder and CEO of Source One GmbH, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “Our partnership with Freepoint Eco-Systems is instrumental in providing the scale needed to turn efficient plastic resource use into a widespread reality. By applying our innovative technologies, we are making significant strides toward a circular economy and promoting the high-quality reuse of plastic materials.”
The partnership aligns closely with the European Union’s sustainability and regulatory frameworks, including the Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), all of which aim to boost the use of recycled content in packaging. By tackling a key bottleneck in the recycling value chain—pretreatment—the collaboration is expected to substantially improve material recovery rates and enhance responsible plastic usage across Europe.
