Virgin-like polyethylene and polypropylene from post-consumer waste plastics
ReVentas has developed a patented solvent-based purification technology that transforms mixed post-consumer polyethylene and polypropylene waste into high-quality, virgin-like polymers. The process removes all pigments, additives, odours, and chemical contaminants, producing ultra-pure recycled resins suitable for displacing virgin polymer supplies in packaging, automotive, and other industries.
Overview
ReVentas offers a disruptive solvent-based recycling technology that converts mixed post-consumer waste plastics into virgin-like polymers. The process targets polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), the two most widely used plastics globally, and removes pigments, additives, odours, and chemical contamination to produce ultra-pure recycled resins. These outputs are designed to displace conventional virgin polymer supplies, providing manufacturers with a sustainable alternative that supports circular economy goals and helps meet regulatory and consumer demands for recycled content.
The technology addresses one of the most persistent challenges in plastics recycling: recovering high-value material from heavily contaminated, mixed waste streams such as multi-layer films, crisp packets, metallised sachets, and mixed rigid packaging. By enabling the production of polymers with mechanical and physical properties comparable to virgin grades, ReVentas opens new pathways for closed-loop plastic use across packaging, automotive, construction, and textile applications.
Technical specifications
- Patented solvent-based dissolution process: Polymers are dissolved in a solvent at low temperatures and pressures, enabling rapid purification while recovering both the polymer and the solvent for reuse.
- Contaminant removal: The process filters out inks, dyes, pigments, additives, odours, and other chemical contaminants, producing a clean, contaminant-free polymer output.
- Broad feedstock compatibility: Validated on post-consumer films, crisp packets, metallised sachets, mixed bottles, bottle caps, PP pots, BOPP films, blow-moulded HDPE, and injection-moulded HDPE feedstocks.
- Output quality: Processed LLDPE displays the same mechanical and physical properties as virgin LLDPE, suitable for reuse in film-blowing applications. HDPE outputs similarly match virgin-grade properties.
- Pilot plant capacity: Located in Livingston, Scotland, the pilot plant processes 5–10 kg of polymer per hour and can produce up to 50 kg of material for end-user trials.
- Sustainability impact: The process achieves approximately 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to virgin plastic production.
- Scalability: FEED (front-end engineering design) has been completed, with cost models developed for scale-up to a 10 kt commercial plant.
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at pilot scale, with a functioning plant in Livingston, Scotland, capable of producing trial quantities for end users. Validation has been completed across multiple flexible and rigid feedstock types, confirming that output polymers match virgin-grade properties. FEED design is underway with completion targeted for Q1 2024, leading to detailed design for a first commercial plant (10 kt output) by Q2 2026. Ongoing work includes expanded technical development on HDPE and PP rigid materials, defined feedstock grades for specific end applications, and food-grade approval screening. The technology is positioned for transition from pilot to commercial-scale production by 2027, with active engagement sought from end users for funded material development projects and future off-take agreements.
About ReVentas
ReVentas is a Scottish clean-technology startup that has developed a novel dissolution recycling technology designed to transform challenging post-consumer waste plastics, specifically polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), into high-quality, virgin-like polymer pellets. The patented process operates at low temperatures and pressures, using a solvent to rapidly dissolve the plastic feedstock before filtering out contaminants such as inks, dyes, pigments, additives, and odors. By enabling the recovery and reuse of both the polymers and the solvent, this method achieves an 80% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the production of virgin plastic, offering a scalable solution that supports the transition to a circular economy.
This technology addresses a significant global challenge by providing manufacturers in the packaging, automotive, construction, and textile industries with a sustainable alternative to conventional virgin resins. As companies face increasing regulatory pressure and demand for recycled content, ReVentas’ ability to produce ultra-pure, high-value recycled plastics helps organizations meet their sustainability targets and close the loop on plastic waste. Supported by strategic investors and partners, including Orlen VC, Beiersdorf Venture Capital, and Scottish Enterprise, the company is actively scaling its operations, with plans to advance from pilot-scale production to a large-scale commercial plant by 2027.
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