IKEA and Neste take strides towards fossil-free future
Published by Nicholas Woodroof,
Editor
Hydrocarbon Engineering,
IKEA and Neste are now able to utilise renewable residue and waste raw materials, such as used cooking oil, as well as sustainably-produced vegetable oils in the production of plastic products. A pilot at commercial scale will start during fall 2018, and be the first large-scale production of renewable, bio-based polypropylene plastic globally.
IKEA is working to change all of the plastic used in IKEA products to plastic based on recycled and/or renewable materials by 2030.
Since 2016, IKEA and NESTE have collaborated on eliminating virgin fossil-based raw materials in plastic products. Thanks to this collaboration, IKEA and Neste are now able to turn waste and residue raw materials, such as used cooking oil, as well as sustainable vegetable oils into polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) plastic. PP and PE plastic are some of the most commonly used plastic.
“This new material represents a significant step towards a fossil free future. No one has ever before been able to produce PP plastic from a fossil-free raw material other than on a laboratory scale. Together with Neste, we are ensuring that there is an opportunity to scale up the production of this material”, said Erik Ljungblad, Category Manager Plastic Products at IKEA of Sweden.
“The production of bio-based plastics at a commercial scale is a major achievement in the cooperation between Neste and IKEA, while it also marks a significant milestone in Neste’s strategy. IKEA is the first company to benefit from the developed supply capability that helps companies and brand owners towards replacing fossil-based raw materials with sustainable bio-based raw materials,” said Senior Vice President Tuomas Hyyryläinen from Neste’s Emerging Businesses business unit.?
The pilot at commercial scale of PP and PE plastic, chosen to contain 20% renewable content, will start during fall 2018. The production of bio-based plastics will be based on Neste’s 100% renewable hydrocarbons. IKEA will use the new plastic in products that are part of the current product range, such as plastic storage boxes, starting with a limited number of products. As capacities improve, more products will follow.
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/the-environment/11062018/ikea-and-neste-take-strides-towards-fossil-free-future/
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