Borealis is participating in the EU-funded consortium, which aims to further develop the technology for electrified chemical recycling.

The ELECTRO project focuses on converting mixed plastic waste that is difficult to recycle into high-quality olefins such as ethylene and propylene using renewable electrical energy. As part of the project, leading researchers from top universities such as Ghent University, research institutes and industry players are working together to develop processes that will replace the conventional thermal energy supply in steam crackers with electric heating, according to a statement from Borealis. By using renewable energy instead of fossil energy, ELECTRO aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent. The process is designed to recycle waste streams such as multi-layer packaging and contaminated plastics, which are difficult to process mechanically. Within the consortium, Borealis is reportedly leading the work package on the use of recyclable raw materials for efficient steam cracking.
 
In addition, Borealis is reportedly linking the ELECTRO project with the STOP project, its waste management initiative co-founded by Borealis and Systemiq in 2017. According to Borealis, household plastics collected in Indonesia as part of Project STOP will be used in ELECTRO's research. This will enable the consortium to test the feasibility of chemical recycling on waste streams that are difficult to recycle. Together with its ELECTRO partners, Borealis aims to demonstrate how electrified chemical recycling can transform challenging waste streams into valuable resources for a circular economy, explained Manjunath Patil, Senior Engineer Innovation & Technology at Borealis.
 
Sources:

• Borealis press release (15.12.2025)
• Photo: © Borealis