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According to Valmet, fast pyrolysis technology offers a practical way to convert mixed plastics and hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable feedstocks that support the circular economy. With a long history in pyrolysis technology, Valmet is now expanding its application into plastic chemical recycling by building a new industrial-scale pilot facility in Tampere, Finland. The facility is expected to begin operations in 2027.
The plastics recycling industry is currently facing significant challenges. Many companies attempting to build pyrolysis plants have struggled to achieve stable operations, and several existing recycling facilities have been forced to shut down. Although the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has established targets for Europe’s circular economy ambitions, and the industry widely recognizes the urgent need to expand new plastics recycling capacity, market uncertainty continues to slow investment.
Jaakko Martikainen, Director of Circularity Growth Technology at Valmet, said: “Currently, the entire industry is still waiting for the implementing acts of the PPWR. These acts will determine how companies plan their investments and how quickly they need to build new capacity. Once the implementing acts are published, investment decisions are expected to accelerate. At that point, we will be ready to support our customers with our technological expertise and industrial-scale pilot facility.”
According to Jaakko Martikainen, Europe may not have sufficient recycling capacity to meet the requirements for 2030. “The capacity gap is substantial, and the time available is very limited. The market is already behind schedule, but many companies are still waiting for regulatory clarity before committing to large-scale projects,” he noted.
The same wait-and-see attitude is widespread globally. Although the industry is actively exploring solutions, it remains cautious about large-scale investments.
“In North America, several large chemical recycling plants have been built, but many have also shut down. In China, several very large facilities are operating, but market drivers are not yet sufficiently clear. Japan has announced ambitious targets, while Brazil and India are gradually awakening to this area,” Martikainen added.
Valmet’s fluidized-bed-based fast pyrolysis technology is built on more than two decades of research, development and industrial experience. Its strong operational robustness, scalability and high yields make it a leading solution in the rapidly expanding chemical recycling market.
Pekko Marjomaa, Product Sales Manager at Valmet, said: “Our new pilot facility takes this concept to an industrial scale, providing a flexible and easy-to-operate testing environment for rapid experimentation and technology development. The plant is specifically designed to evaluate different feedstocks, process conditions and new technologies, supporting reliable scale-up toward commercial-scale production.”
He continued: “We can also produce representative product batches for our customers, allowing them to directly understand how process chemistry, process parameters, different feedstocks and additives affect process operation and product quality.”
In addition to helping companies meet mandatory recycled-content targets for plastic packaging, chemical recycling offers a promising way for waste-to-energy plants to reduce fossil carbon dioxide emissions covered by the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Many of these plants also face significant equipment maintenance challenges caused by the high calorific value of mixed waste. By sorting out plastics and converting them into valuable recycled feedstocks, operators can not only reduce the operating load on boilers but also improve overall resource utilization. This approach can deliver significant benefits in both sustainability and operational reliability.
Project Timeline: Construction of the new pyrolysis pilot facility is planned to begin in early 2027. The facility is expected to be completed and begin initial test operations in the summer of 2027.
