TotalEnergies Launches 15,000-Ton Advanced Plastics Recycling Plant in France
TotalEnergies has started production at France’s first advanced plastics recycling plant at Grandpuits, converting up to 15,000 tonnes of household plastic waste annually into synthetic oil feedstock. The pyrolysis-based plant, using Plastic Energy technology and backed by partnerships with Citeo and Paprec, supports Grandpuits’ zero-crude conversion.
1. Plant Launch and Capacity
TotalEnergies has commenced production at its Grandpuits site southeast of Paris with the country’s first advanced plastics recycling plant. The facility can process 15,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle household plastic waste annually, marking a key milestone in converting the former refinery into a zero-crude platform.
2. Pyrolysis Technology and Output
The plant employs a pyrolysis process supplied by Plastic Energy, heating waste in an oxygen-free environment under pressure to produce synthetic oil. This oil serves as petrochemical feedstock to manufacture recycled plastics identical in quality to virgin materials, suitable for food contact and medical applications.
3. Partnerships and Feedstock Security
TotalEnergies secured long-term waste supply through 2023 agreements with eco-organisation Citeo and recycling specialist Paprec. These partnerships guarantee a steady inflow of hard-to-recycle plastics and support France’s emerging advanced recycling industry.
4. Strategic Implications
This start-up advances TotalEnergies’ sustainability strategy by reducing landfill and incineration of plastic waste while developing a circular economy for petrochemical products. The zero-crude platform at Grandpuits aligns with the company’s goal to integrate low-carbon solutions across its global operations.