SK Geo Centric Chooses Location for France-Based Plastic Recycling Facility

Europe: SK Geo Centric (SKGC), SUEZ and Loop Industries (Loop) have a big announcement to make - the Chemesis industrial platform in Saint-Avold, located in France's Grand Est region, has been selected as the site for the first European Infinite Loop manufacturing facility.

SUEZ is a company that is leading the way in circular solutions for water and waste. Loop is a clean technology enterprise working to promote sustainability through manufacturing 100% recycled PET plastic and polyester fiber. Their mission is to catalyze the transition of global plastic economy towards a more sustainable model.

SKGC, SUEZ and Loop have partnered on a new international project, backed by the French Ministries of Industry and Ecology and the Grand Est region. SKGC brings in their knowledge of petrochemical processes, SUEZ provides expertise in resource management and Loop offers an innovative depolymerization technology. Together these three companies are working to make a positive environmental impact.

A new facility is being built that will manufacture 100% recycled and infinitely recyclable virgin-quality PET resin. With a planned capacity of 70,000 metric tons per year, this facility looks to capitalize on the recent growth in demand for recycled PET due to European regulations and requirements. This will enable European-based global brands to increase their use of recycled content in their packaging, products and other goods, furthering their sustainability objectives.

The Saint-Avold Chemesis industrial platform is strategically located in the heart of Europe. It offers an efficient infrastructure network providing access to energy, road and rail logistics, and suppliers. This project will provide an overall investment of 450 million euros, resulting in the sustainable revitalization of the local industrial base and creating 200 new jobs.

Loop's advanced depolymerization technology uses low heat and no pressure to upcycle materials that would otherwise be disposed of in landfills or incinerators into top-quality PET plastic. When operating at full capacity, the facility can save more than 255,000 tons of CO2 every year when compared to producing virgin PET resin from fossil fuels. This is a key development for sustainable manufacturing, as it enables an eco-friendly solution for waste disposal.

SUEZ is taking a step towards making the world a better place by collecting, sorting, and preparing entry flows of feedstock. Their expertise in the European plastics market, along with partnerships with industrial players and their expansive treatment infrastructure network provides them with an advantageous position to take on materials that currently end up either in landfills or incineration. By turning what would otherwise be considered low-value waste into something productive, SUEZ is providing a solution to the global plastic waste challenge.

The local community will soon have the chance to learn about an upcoming project. Representatives from three partners are working together to start construction of the project in early 2025, with plant commissioning planned for 2027.

SKGC and Loop announced plans for their first Infinite Loop manufacturing facility, slated to break ground in 2023 in Ulsan, South Korea. This facility is part of the global commercialization strategy of Loop's technology as the two companies focus on making it a reality.

Na Kyung-Soo, CEO of SK Geo Centric, stated: “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.”