Eni’s chemical division Versalis has inaugurated a new plant at Porto Marghera in Italy, to produce plastics made from mechanically recycled raw materials.
The facility is capable of producing up to 20,000 tonnes of crystal polystyrene and expandable PS (EPS) per year.
It uses secondary raw materials sourced from the recycling of EPS waste.
The materials produced will be part of the Versalis Revive range, which contains between 35% and 100% post-consumer recycled plastics, the company said.
The primary applications for these materials will be in the packaging and construction industries, including thermal insulation panels for buildings and protective packaging for household appliances.
Versalis noted that this project strengthens its product portfolio and its competitiveness in the market.
The plant’s strategic location near other Versalis facilities in Mantua, Ferrara, and Ravenna will ensure efficient logistics for both raw materials and finished products.
Versalis CEO Adriano Alfani said: “The new plant in Porto Marghera is a first step towards the conversion of Venice’s petrochemical hub, in line with the transformation and relaunch plan for Versalis, which was recently signed at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
“In Porto Marghera, we plan to invest in the expansion of our mechanical plastics recycling platform and to consolidate and enhance the logistics hub, including the cryogenic storage facility for ethylene.”
Versalis operates in the basic chemicals and intermediates, plastic, rubber, and chemistry from renewables sectors.
In June last year, the company partnered with Crocco to produce food packaging films using chemical recycling.
