LyondellBasell, KIRKBI Invests in APK for Recycling

The LEGO® brand’s family-owned holding company, KIRKBI A/S, and LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), a world leader in the chemical sector, announce that they have reached an agreement to invest in APK, a company that specialises in a novel solvent-based recycling technique for low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Multi-layer flexible packaging materials, which currently make up the majority of mixed plastic waste from the consumer sector, are one of the recycling targets for APK. In order to accomplish this, APK created the special solvent-based Newcycling® process, which separates the various polymers of multi-layer packaging materials and generates recycled materials with a high level of purity suitable for new packaging materials.

According to the deal, LyondellBasell and KIRKBI would contribute about 130 million euros to APK along with other co-investors, becoming minor shareholders in the company. It is intended to construct more Newcyling® Facilities to boost production.

LyondellBasell

According to Yvonne van der Laan, LyondellBasell Executive Vice President, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions, “We need to advance the recycling of all types of plastic waste material generated today to support the goal of a circular economy and meet the growing demand for high quality recycled products.” “By advancing this technology through our investment in APK, we can meet consumer and brand owner demands for more sustainable packaging while also reintroducing more plastic packaging waste into the value chain. Our existing Circulen product line, which presently offers mechanical and sophisticated recycling solutions to our customers, will benefit greatly from the inclusion of products created utilising this special Newcycling® solvent-based technology.”

“We are pleased to announce that we have invested in APK. KIRKBI believes that APK is a promising scalable technology in LDPE recycling that can help increase the circularity of plastics and reduce plastic waste in the future, contributing to a more sustainable environment. We look forward to providing strategic, financial, and commercial assistance as APK develops technology to supplement mechanical and chemical recycling “says Damir Hamzic, Head of KIRKBI’s Circular Plastics Investment area, which focuses on investments that help the transition to a more circular plastics economy.

“Our Newcycling® technology allows us to close the loop even with complex waste streams and produce high-quality LDPE recyclates from mixed plastic waste in a highly efficient manner that benefits both the economy and the environment. For years, we have demonstrated that this is also possible on an industrial scale at our Merseburg plant “Susanne Küppers, Member of APK AG’s Executive Board and Managing Director of APK NCC, agrees. “We are pleased to now initiate the next stage and are proud to have LyondellBasell and KIRKBI on our side as two strong supporters who bring a lot of additional expertise, for example, in the areas of polymer design and application know-how.”