Green Light for LyondellBasell Pyrolysis Plant in Wesseling

LyondellBasell's plans for a new pyrolysis plant in Wesseling, Germany, are moving forward after the company received its first partial permit for construction. The approval, which was made public on August 19, marks a significant step for the project, which aims to convert mixed plastic waste into new materials.

The plant's foundation stone was laid in September 2024, an event attended by then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The facility, which is still on track for commissioning in 2026, will use LyondellBasell's proprietary MoReTec technology to produce up to 30,000 metric tons of pyrolysis oil and pyrolysis gas annually. These products will then be used as feedstock for manufacturing new plastics, helping to create a more circular economy for plastics. The necessary plastic waste will be supplied by Source One Plastics GmbH, a joint venture between 23 Oaks Investments and LyondellBasell.

Project Details and Permitting

The approval process for the plant, officially a "plant for the production of pyrolytic oil and gas (MRT1 pyrolysis plant)," began with an application submitted to the Cologne District Government on November 24, 2023. The recent partial permit allows for immediate earthworks and foundation work, including the installation of bored piles and precast foundations. The project is classified under the Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) and is subject to the Industrial Emissions Directive (210/75/EU).

The plant is designed to be a novel facility for converting processed plastics from end-user waste into valuable resources, contributing to the broader goal of recycling and reducing waste.