Circular Economy for Plastics: What role can Chemical Recycling play?
OMV’s ReOil technology: Status & Outlook.

Cirkulárna ekonomika pre plasty: Akú úlohu môže zohrať chemická recyklácia?
ÖMV ReOil Technology: Aktuálny stav a výhľady.

Circular Economy for Plastics, Chemical Recycling, Pyrolysis, Recycling targets, Recycled content targets.

In 2020, 29.5 mn tonnes of post-consumer plastic were produced in Europe (EU 27-3), of which only around 34% was recycled. The majority of the plastic waste generated was either incinerated or landfilled. At the same time, we see an increasing demand for recycled polyolefins worldwide.

In order to manage the transformation from a linear to a circular economy and also to achieve the recycling quotas of 50% in 2025 and 55% in 2030 set by the EU, it is necessary to collect, sort and recycle more plastic waste in the future. In addition to established recycling routes, such as mechanical recycling, new processes such as chemical recycling can make a positive contribution to keeping valuable resources in the loop.

Chemical recycling targets hard-to-recycle plastics that can’t currently be mechanically recycled and is therefore a vital complement to mechanical recycling routes. By addressing waste fractions, that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled, chemical recycling can contribute to reducing GHG emissions. It produces a feedstock that can be further processed to monomers and ultimately polymers of a virgin-quality that are not distinguishable from fossil-based polymers. The virgin quality makes chemically recycled feedstock suitable the production of plastics for high demanding applications such as food contact applications, healthcare or mobility.

ReOil® is OMVs proprietary patented chemical recycling technology that transforms end-of-life plastics into circular solutions. The resulting pyrolysis oil serves as a raw material for the production of new high-quality plastics. Since 2018, a ReOil® pilot plant with a production capacity of 100kg/h has been in operation at the OMV refinery in Schwechat, Austria. The plant is fully integrated into the refinery and has completed nearly 30,000 cracking hours to date. OMV is currently expanding this technology with a new ReOil plant capacity of processing 16,000 metric tons of plastics annually. The plant is mechanically complete and is currently in a phased start-up process.

Beate Edl-Gettinger is working as Project Director for Circular Economy at OMV. She studied Mechanical Engineering – Management at the Vienna University of Technology and completed her doctoral studies in the same subject. Mrs. Edl-Gettinger worked in the field of innovation research at the University of Economics and Business and spent several years advising clients in various industries at the topics of technology and digitalization at a large consulting company. She has been with OMV since 2019 – at her current position she is involved in building the business model around OMVs patented chemical recycling technology ReOil®. In addition, she represents the topic of chemical recycling on behalf of OMV at the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).

It is our purpose to re-invent essentials for sustainable living. OMV is transitioning to become an integrated sustainable chemicals, fuels and energy company with a focus on circular economy solutions. By gradually switching over to the low carbon business, OMV is striving to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest. In 2024, the company generated revenues of 34 billion euros with a diverse and talented workforce of around 23,600 employees worldwide. OMV shares are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange (OMV) and in the US as American Depository Receipts (OMVKY). For more information, please visit www.omv.com.