Aramco, TotalEnergies and SABIC Partner on Circular Polymers

Aramco, TotalEnergies and SABIC Successfully Convert Plastic Waste-Derived Oil into ISCC+ Certified Circular Polymers for First Time in Middle East and North Africa Plastic pyrolysis oil, also known as plastic-derived oil (PDO), was processed at the SATORP refinery jointly owned by Aramco and TotalEnergies in Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia, and then used as feedstock by PETROKEMYA, a SABIC subsidiary, to produce certified circular polymers. The project aims to establish a local supply chain in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia enabling advanced recycling of plastics into circular polymers. The process allows the use of unclassified plastics that may be difficult to mechanically recycle and thus contributes to addressing the end-of-life plastic waste problem. The project reached an important initial milestone by obtaining ISCC+ certification, which ensures transparency and traceability of recycled sources of feedstock and products. The process involves three industrial facilities: the SATORP refinery, Aramco's Ju'aymah NGL Fractionation Unit, and PETROKEMYA. All three successfully obtained ISCC+ certification, enabling the production of circular materials. Bernard Pinatel, President of Refining and Chemicals at TotalEnergies, said: "This advanced plastic recycling initiative reflects TotalEnergies' concrete commitment to addressing end-of-life plastics. Several other circular economy projects are being pursued that leverage the technical expertise and experience of partners to contribute further to plastic recycling. This is a significant step toward TotalEnergies' goal of producing 30% circular polymers by 2030 and its strategy to build a dynamic company on the path to achieving net zero by 2050." Source