In a groundbreaking move for the plastics industry, Lummus Technology announced that Vioneo has selected its Novolen® polypropylene (PP) technology for a new plant in Antwerp, Belgium. This facility will form the centerpiece of Vioneo’s pioneering complex, which is set to become the world’s first industrial-scale producer of fossil-free plastics made entirely from green methanol.
The Antwerp complex will run on renewable electricity, integrate renewable hydrogen, and use 100 percent segregated green propylene and ethylene as feedstocks. Once operational, the plant will deliver 200KTA of fossil-free polypropylene grades that act as direct, drop-in replacements for fossil-based plastics. With full traceability and a CO2-negative footprint, the products will enable customers to significantly reduce their Scope 3 emissions without compromising on quality or performance.
“Vioneo’s goal of delivering the world’s first fossil-free polypropylene plastics facility is bold, ambitious and one we are honored to support,” said Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus Technology. “Our proven polypropylene polymerization technology will allow Vioneo to produce high-performance, drop-in polypropylene grades through a low-emissions process.”
Alex Hogan, CEO of Vioneo, added: “This world-first plant demonstrates that large-scale, cleaner plastics production using green methanol-derived feedstocks is not only possible, but also economically viable. Partnering with Lummus and licensing their premier Novolen® polypropylene technology is fundamental to our vision of advancing a sustainable plastics economy.”
Lummus’ role will cover the technology license, process design package, support during front-end engineering, and catalyst supply during operations. Its Novolen PP technology is part of the Verdene™ suite, a platform of sustainable polymer technologies designed to produce fully bio-based polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and super absorbent polymers with reduced to net-negative carbon dioxide emissions.
Vioneo, launched by A.P. Moller Holding in 2024, is dedicated to transforming plastics production by leveraging green methanol to manufacture fossil-free virgin plastics at a commercial scale. Its first Antwerp-based facility will produce approximately 300,000 tonnes of fossil-free plastics, underscoring the company’s mission to reshape the industry’s carbon footprint.
Lummus Technology, meanwhile, continues to lead in delivering process technologies and solutions for clean fuels, renewables, petrochemicals, polymers, and gas processing, with a clear focus on enabling a low-carbon future.
