Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk zet grote stap richting circulair plastic
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk heeft een nieuwe fabriek opgestart waardoor moeilijk of niet te recyclen plastic toch kan worden hergebruikt. Met de zogeheten Market Development Upgrader (MDU) kan het chemiecomplex op schaal circulaire grondstoffen gaan innemen. Dat is een mijlpaal voor Shell, en essentieel voor de ontwikkeling van chemische circulariteit in Nederland.
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Tot nu wordt plastic vooral mechanisch gerecycled. Dat is niet voor alle plastic een optie. Bijvoorbeeld voor verpakkingen van etenswaren is deze vorm van recyclen om hygiënische redenen niet mogelijk. Met chemisch recyclen kunnen voedingsverpakkingen wel een tweede leven krijgen. Daarin speelt de MDU een sleutelrol.
Van plastic afval naar nieuwe bestanddelen
Hoe gaat dit proces in zijn werk? Eerst wordt plastic afval in een fabriek verhit tot circa 450 graden Celsius, tot het is gesmolten en de zuurstof geheel is onttrokken. Wat overblijft wordt pyrolyseolie genoemd. De MDU zuivert deze olie zodat die als voeding kan dienen voor de kraakinstallatie op Moerdijk. Deze kraker knipt en scheidt grotere en kleinere molecuulketens en maakt zo de basischemicaliën voor producten die we allemaal elke dag gebruiken.
"De industrie speelt een grote rol in de overgang naar een duurzame, circulaire economie,” zegt minister Sophie Hermans van Klimaat en Groene Groei. “Deze nieuwe fabriek van Shell verbetert de mogelijkheden om plastic te recyclen, vermindert de afhankelijkheid van fossiele grondstoffen en stimuleert innovatie en groene groei. Dit is een mooi voorbeeld hoe van hoe Nederland internationaal in kan uitblinken in een toekomstbestendige industrie.”
“Moerdijk is de eerste locatie binnen Shell die pyrolyseolie op schaal inzet”, aldus directeur Richard Zwinkels van Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk. “Chemisch recyclen helpt om een echt circulair systeem voor plastic van de grond te krijgen in de maatschappij, vergelijkbaar met hoe we glas en papier inzamelen en hergebruiken."
Staatssecretaris van Milieu Chris Jansen zegt: “Vandaag zag ik weer een mooi voorbeeld van hoe innovatief Nederland is. We hebben dit soort innovaties nodig voor de transitie naar een circulaire plastic-keten. Naast de bestaande recyclingroutes is er behoefte aan het opschalen van nieuwe recyclingroutes, zoals deze fabriek. Heel mooi om te zien dat de sector vandaag weer een stap zet.”
De nieuwe manier van recyclen
Op dit moment wordt maximaal 46% van het plastic afval (mechanisch) gerecycled. Ofwel: versnipperd, gewassen, gesorteerd en beperkt hergebruikt. De rest van het plastic afval wordt verbrand. De MDU-installatie op Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk brengt daar verandering in, zodat chemische en mechanische recycling elkaar kunnen aanvullen. Uiteindelijk zal de MDU worden opgeschaald naar volledige capaciteit van 50 kiloton pyrolyseolie doorzet per jaar. Hiervoor verwerkt de fabriek olie gewonnen uit plastic afval van ongeveer 2,5 miljoen Nederlanders – net zoveel als er in Noord-Brabant wonen.
Chemie voor vandaag en morgen
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk doet nog veel meer in de chemie voor vandaag en morgen. Zo werd op 16 oktober al de elektrificatie van twee bestaande stoomturbines op de kraker aangekondigd, en dat zorgt samen met het vervangen van oude fornuizen op diezelfde kraker voor een CO2-uitstootreductie van ongeveer 20%.
Recyclen van plastic
Het hergebruik van plastic is nu nog beperkt. Zo kan de verpakking van je eten (nog) niet als voedingsverpakking worden hergebruikt. Dat komt omdat bacteriën met de huidige machinale (mechanische) recycling kunnen overleven. Hier gaat circulaire recycling helpen, en daar wordt op Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk hard aan gewerkt.
Transcriptie
Transcriptie
Titel: Aftermovie opening MDU
Tijdsduur: 3.40
Omschrijving: Op 8 november we op Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk een nieuwe, innovatieve fabriek opgestart waarmee moeilijk of niet te recyclen plastic toch kan worden hergebruikt. Dit gebeurde in aanwezigheid van minister Klimaat en Groene Groei Sophie Hermans, staatssecretaris van Openbaar vervoer en Milieu Chris Jansen en president-directeur Shell Nederland Frans Everts.
[Video]
Beeld en sfeerimpressie van de opening van de Market Development Upgrader (MDU) op Chemicals Park Moerdijk.
[Tekst]
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk zet grote stap in circulair plastic
Richard Zwinkels: Welkom in de innovation gallery Shell Checmicals Park Moerdijk. Wij gaan hier vandaag de nieuwe plastic recycle fabriek formeel en officieel met externe genodigden openen.
Huibert Vigeveno: Deze fabriek betekent heel veel. Een nieuwe technologie die we nu op grotere schaal aan het toepassen zijn. In essentie is de chemische industrie een heel belangrijke industrie voor onze hele samenleving. Alles wat we aanhebben, alles wat we gebruiken, komt uit de chemische industrie. De twee nadelen van chemie is, je hebt fossiele brandstoffen nodig en daarnaast heel veel van de plastic wat van de chemische producten komt, hoe ga je dat hergebruiken? Met deze fabriek slaan we twee vliegen in een klap. Wat we doen is, we kunnen olie maken van plastic afval. Die we dan weer gebruiken als een grondstof voor de kraker. Dus vanuit dat perspectief is dat echt super.
Richard: Alleen al deze fabriek is goed voor al het plastic wat we in Noord-Brabant met elkaar elke dag produceren.
Sophie Hermans: Deze fabriek is een voorbeeld van een bedrijf dat bezig is met vergoenen en verduurzamen met de toekomst van onze economie. Dat het afval wat we in Nederland hebben niet afval is wat je nooit meer terugziet maar dat als je het schoonmaakt en verwerkt, dat je het weer kan gebruiken voor nieuwe producten. En producten die hier gemaakt worden zijn bijvoorbeeld ook isolatiematerialen die weer ongelooflijk belangrijk zijn om huizen te isoleren.
Richard: Ik stel voor dat we met de hele zaal gaan aftellen. Ben je er klaar voor? Daar gaan we. 5…4..3…2…1…
Huibert: Laten we trots zijn dat we de eerste hebben maar we moeten er wel echt van leren. Hoe werkt de technologie? Hoe kunnen we de kostenbesparingen doen? Hoe maken we het efficiënter en effectiever? Alle normale dingen die we eigenlijk bij dit soort nieuwe technologieën en fabrieken gebruiken. Het zou heel goed zijn als we vanuit Europese en Nederlandse wetgeving een bijmengsel verplichting komt voor het gebruik van circulair plastic afval. Dat is eigenlijk wat we met biobrandstoffen ook doen. Dus als jij benzine koopt, zit er ook vaak 10% biobrandstof verplicht in. Dat zouden we hier moeten doen.
Richard: Dit idee is 4,5 jaar geleden ontstaan in het laboratorium. Twee jaar geleden kreeg ik de goedkeuring om te gaan bouwen en nu draait het al. Ik vind het echt super.
Frans Everts: Ik ben ongelooflijk trots dat wij dit met z’n allen hebben kunnen doen. Ik wil iedereen die heeft gewerkt aan dit project, van het ontwerp naar het bouwen naar de inkoop naar de mensen om dit veilig te kunnen doen en het nu gewoon draait, dat is een ongelooflijk compliment voor iedereen. De hartelijke felicitaties van mij.
Chris Jansen: Wat ik Shell allereerst wil meegeven, zijn felicitaties want het is mooi dat hier gerealiseerd is. Maar mijn advies zou echt zijn, draag dit uit. Laat iedereen zien wat hier gebeurd en waarom dit gedaan is, want hiermee gaan we heel Nederland gewoon vooruit helpen. Ik hoop dat er nog heel veel van dit soort faciliteiten bij komen.
Cautionary note
Cautionary note
The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The term “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.
Forward-looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and a significant cybersecurity breach; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, November 8, 2024. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.
Shell’s Net Carbon Intensity
Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” or NCI are for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.
Shell’s net-zero emissions target
Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.
Forward-looking non-GAAP measures
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.
We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov
English version, for Dutch scroll to the top of the page
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk takes a big step towards plastic circularity
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk, the Netherlands, started up a new unit that allows difficult to recycle plastics to be reused. With the Market Development Upgrader (MDU), the chemicals complex can process circular raw materials at scale. The opening marks a significant milestone for Shell and is essential for the development of plastic circularity in the Netherlands.
8 Nov. 2024
Until now, plastic has mainly been recycled mechanically. This is not possible for all plastics. For example, for hygiene reasons food packaging cannot be mechanically recycled. With chemical recycling, food packaging can be given a second life. The MDU, which opened today, plays a key role in advancing circularity for hard to recycle plastic waste.
From plastic waste to new ingredients
How does this process work? First, plastic waste is heated to about 450 degrees Celsius (842 degrees Fahrenheit) until it melts, and the oxygen has been completely extracted. What remains is called pyrolysis oil. The MDU purifies this oil so that it can serve as feedstock for the cracking plant at Moerdijk. This cracker cuts and separates larger and smaller molecule chains, making the base chemicals for everyday products we all use.
"The industry plays a major role in the transition to a sustainable, circular economy,” says Dutch Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth. “Shell's new plant will improve plastic recycling capabilities, reduce dependence on fossil 'feedstock' and stimulate innovation and green growth. This is a good example of how the Netherlands can excel internationally in a future-proof industry."
"Moerdijk is the first location within Shell to upgrade pyrolysis oil at scale," observes Richard Zwinkels, General Manager of Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk. "Chemical recycling supports the development of a truly circular system for plastic, similar to how societies collect and reuse empty glass bottles and wastepaper."
Dutch Environment Minister Chris Jansen says: "Today I saw another great example of how innovative the Netherlands is. We need these kinds of innovations for the transition to a circular plastic value chain. In addition to the existing recycling routes, there is a need to scale up new recycling routes, such as this plant. It's great to see the sector is taking another step today."
The new way of recycling
Currently in the Netherlands, a maximum of 46% of plastic waste is (mechanically) recycled, which means it is shredded, washed, sorted and reused to a limited extent. The rest of the plastic waste is incinerated. The MDU installation at Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk is helping to change that. Eventually, the MDU will be scaled up to full capacity and will handle up to 50 kilotons of pyrolysis oil per year. The amount is equal to what 2.5 million Dutch people produce in plastic waste annually.
Chemistry for today and tomorrow
Shell Chemicals Park Moerdijk does much more in the chemicals sector for the chemicals needed today and tomorrow. Last month, the electrification of two existing steam turbines on the cracker was announced, and, together with the replacement of old furnaces in the same installation, will result in roughly a 20% reduction of CO2 emissions at Moerdijk.
Cautionary note
Cautionary note
The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The term “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.
Forward-looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, and a significant cybersecurity breach; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, November 8, 2024. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.
Shell’s Net Carbon Intensity
Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “Net Carbon Intensity” or NCI are for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.
Shell’s net-zero emissions target
Shell’s operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, they reflect our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plans cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is currently outside our planning period. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.
Forward-looking non-GAAP measures
This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as cash capital expenditure and divestments. We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.
We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov
