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If all goes according to plan, the Netherlands will boast a brand new plastics recycling plant that is due to start up operations by the end of 2015. Called QCP, short for Quality Circular Polymers, the company was established in April 2014 by Huub Meessen and Marc Houtermans, with the backing of a number of strategic investors. QCP's plant will ultimately produce high-quality raw materials, with a focus on PP and PE, derived from industrial and household plastic waste for the plastics industry. The project involves a total investment of 75 million euros ($88.42 million).

Karen Laird

January 12, 2015

3 Min Read
Start-up recycler QCP building circular polymer plant at Chemelot

If all goes according to plan, the Netherlands will boast a brand new plastics recycling plant that is due to start up operations by the end of 2015. Called QCP, short for Quality Circular Polymers, the company was established in April 2014 by Huub Meessen and Marc Houtermans, with the backing of a number of strategic investors. QCP's plant will ultimately produce high-quality raw materials, with a focus on PP and PE, derived from industrial and household plastic waste for the plastics industry. The project involves a total investment of 75 million euros ($88.42 million). QCP will create up to 100 direct and 200 to 300 indirect jobs.

The new plant will be built at the Chemelot site in the southern part of the Netherlands, an industrial park that styles itself as a "unique chemical and materials community that ensures accelerated business growth through the open exchange of ideas."

It's an appropriate site for QCP, a company that was founded on the premise that it is "time to do things differently in Europe" when it comes to plastics. QCP's goal is to create a completely new value chain in the field of sustainable polymers; to that end the company is designing and building a large-scale single integrated plant using leading technology in sorting and compounding. Its innovation will be market driven with a focus on product development and related technology improvements.

The company today announced the selection of the leading technology providers who will be responsible for the engineering and construction of the first phase of its 100,000 metric ton circular polymer plant.

The company has selected B+B Anlagenbau to provide all equipment for the preparation process from the incoming bales of post consumer plastic waste to the sorted clean flakes. B+B Anlagenbau has close to 30 years of experience in the development, production and implementation of systems for recycling practically all types of plastics. According to Achim Ebel, managing director of B+B Anlagenbau, the company is proud to be part of the project. "The plant will enable QCP to produce high quality flakes with state-of-the-art grinding, hot washing and (color) sorting technology," he said.

KraussMaffei Berstorff will supply the extruders that transform the polymer flakes into high quality polypropylene and polyethylene compounds. KMB will deliver two lines consisting of two ZE twin screw extruders in cascade arrangement with all related equipment, including a sophisticated continuous melt filtration system. "We are convinced that this unique recycling installation represents the most modern of its kind worldwide, offering highest flexibility and economy," explained Ralf J. Dahl, VP of twin-screw extruder, of KraussMaffei Berstorff (KMB). 

The German AZO Group, which is specialized in the automation of production processes, will connect the material flows by providing all material handling and transport systems, enabling an automated logistic process. Frank Opdebeeck, director AZO Benelux is confident that the clear QCP strategy in combination with the experienced team, will lead the company to a new success in the polymer industry. "For AZO Benelux this is an opportunity to join the circular polymer industry with our capability to handle complicated product flows. It is exciting to play a leading role in this upcoming industry," he said.

QCP CEO Huub Meessen, is excited about working together with these three leading technology providers, and commented: "Apart from B+B, which has a long track record in the circular polymer industry, it is good to see that leading players from the virgin polymer industry, like KraussMaffei Berstorff and AZO are very determined to step into the world of sustainable polymers".

"With these leading technology partners and the selected equipment, QCP will be able to produce consistent high quality PE and PP compounds. With SITA as a strategic partner of QCP, also the continuity of the raw material supplies is secured, making QCP a long term reliable partner for its customers."

Marc Houtermans, COO of QCP, added: " This partnership will combine the best of both worlds: new technology from the upcoming circular polymer industry with proven technology and extensive experience from the traditional compounding industry."

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