Total to double Synova PP recycling capacity

Total has announced plans to double the production capacity of its affiliate Synova — which supplies recycled polypropylene (PP) to the automotive industry — to 40,000t/yr by early 2021.

"This investment, which consolidates the acquisition of Synova in early 2019, marks a new milestone in our circular economy activities and contributes to our target of producing 30pc recycled polymers by 2030", said Valerie Goff, Total's Senior Vice President Polymers.

Total acquired Synova in February this year in one of a series of partnerships that it and other European plastic manufacturers have formed with recycling companies in recent years.

At the time of the transaction, Total's president of refining and chemicals Bernard Pinatel called it "concrete proof" of Total's commitment to developing plastic recycling, as well as espousing the environmental benefits of automotive plastics.

"By contributing to the lighter weight of vehicles, plastics improve their energy efficiency. Producing them from recycled material will also meet the challenge of managing their end of life," Pinatel said.