June 24, 2025 – Chemical Recycling Breakthrough Opens New Era for Masterbatch Sustainability
AsiaMB Exclusive – Versalis, the Italian chemical giant, has inaugurated Europe’s most advanced plastic waste recycling demonstration plant in Mantua, presenting new opportunities for sustainable color masterbatch production. The facility’s revolutionary Hoop® pyrolysis technology achieves an industry-leading 83% conversion rate, transforming mixed plastic waste into high-quality recycled pyrolysis oil.
Spanning 5,000 square meters, the pilot plant can process 6,000 tons of plastic waste annually, yielding approximately 5,000 tons of regenerated oil suitable for polymer production. This technological milestone, previously recognized by the EU Innovation Fund, demonstrates exceptional potential for closed-loop colorant systems in plastic manufacturing.
“Chemical recycling represents a game-changer for masterbatch producers seeking sustainable raw materials,” a Versalis spokesperson told AsiaMB. The company has committed €200 million to scale this technology, including a planned 40,000-ton commercial plant in Priolo, Sicily – part of parent company Eni’s broader €2.5 billion transformation strategy.
The Mantua facility’s success comes as Versalis undergoes significant restructuring, shifting focus from traditional petrochemicals to circular economy solutions. Industry analysts note this transition mirrors broader European chemical sector trends, where stringent EU regulations are driving innovation in plastic waste recovery technologies.
For masterbatch manufacturers, Versalis’ breakthrough offers a promising solution to two critical challenges: securing sustainable polymer bases for coloration and meeting increasingly strict recycled content requirements. The technology’s ability to handle mixed plastic waste streams could particularly benefit specialty colorant applications where material consistency is paramount.
This development signals a potential paradigm shift in how the plastics industry approaches both waste management and raw material sourcing, with significant implications for color masterbatch producers adapting to circular economy demands.