Axens starts commercialising PET depolymerisation technology

Back in 2020, Axens, Japan-based chemical recycler Jeplan, and the French Institute of Petroleum (IFPEN) signed a joint development and commercialisation agreement in order to develop, demonstrate, and commercialise a glycolysis-based PET monomer recycling process called Rewind PET. The technology works on all types of waste PET-based materials, including bottles, films, trays, or polyester textiles. At the time, the partners planned to start their technology licence business by the end of 2022.

Last September, the trio began operations of a Rewind PET demonstration unit at Jeplan’s Kitakyushu Hibikinada plant. After one year of tests, the plant has successfully demonstrated the technology which Axens will now start commercialising.

The Rewind PET licence package includes basic process design, performance guarantees, supply of proprietary equipment, and technical support for the start-up and operation of customers’ industrial units.

“The Rewind PET process is part of Axens global strategy in the plastics circular economy, with the development and commercialisation of several chemical and physical recycling processes designed to complement mechanical recycling,” said Quentin Debuisschert, Chairman and CEO of Axens. “With this innovative process, we can support our clients in achieving their ambitious targets for the incorporation of recycled materials in many industrial sectors, starting with packaging and textiles.”

The Rewind PET process involves the continuous depolymerisation of PET by glycolysis, followed by purification of the resulting monomer, BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate). Axen claims the technology’s main advantage for manufacturers is its ability to separate all additives and colourants to restore a pure BHET monomer, which can be easily re-polymerized in existing or new polymerisation plants.