DSM & Clariter to pursue chemical recycling solution

Royal DSM, a global
science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living, and
Clariter, an international clean-tech company, today announced a strategic
partnership to pursue a next-generation chemical recycling solution for
products based on DSM’s Dyneema, an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene
(UHMWPE) fibre. As a first step, sample products – including ropes, nets and
ballistic materials made with Dyneema – were successfully converted at
Clariter’s pilot plant in Poland, demonstrating the recyclability potential of
Dyneema and underlining the active commitment of DSM Protective Materials to
shape a more sustainable world.

In line with its
ambitious sustainability targets, and following the successful launch of
bio-based Dyneema (mass balance), DSM Protective Materials is actively pursuing
reuse and recycling solutions for end-of-life Dyneema-based products. To drive
technical recycling solutions, DSM Protective Materials and Clariter partnered
to test the feasibility of using Dyneema as a feedstock in Clariter’s chemical
recycling process. Sample products made with Dyneema were used in Clariter’s
tests at its pilot plant in Poland. The positive results confirm the technical
viability of transforming Dyneema-based end-products into high-value,
industrial grade, product families: oils, waxes, and solvents via Clariter’s
patented 3-step chemical recycling process. These can be further used as
ingredients to manufacture new end- and consumer products.

Moving forward, DSM
Protective Materials and Clariter will continue to drive this initiative to
shape a more sustainable world. Specifically, building on the success of the
lab-scale trial, Clariter has scheduled commercial-scale trials at its facility
in South Africa for 2021, with the aim to use Dyneema-derived feedstock in its
full-scale European plants that will be built in the coming years. In addition,
DSM will continue to actively explore the possibilities of reducing the
environmental impact of Dyneema across all product life stages.

Petra Koselka, Clariter’s Chief Operations
Officer, said: “To stretch
and explore boundaries of the next circular solution requires courage,
foresight, and tenacity, which DSM has demonstrated in abundance. Looking at
the logistics challenge to collect many tons of used marine ropes, nets, and
ballistic materials is daunting. However, when an economical route presents
itself, suddenly the next horizon seems within reach. We are pleased to work
with DSM to perform R&D on what we have dubbed ‘exciting exotics’, and plan
to use it as part of our raw materials in the full-scale plants we will build
in Europe.”

Roeland Polet, President DSM Protective
Materials, said: “Following
our successful efforts to introduce bio-based Dyneema (mass balance), these
results mark the next important step on the circularity journey of DSM
Protective Materials. Recyclability is key to us, our customers, and society at
large and achieving it requires cross-value chain efforts. To this end, we’re
looking forward to continue building our partnership with Clariter, and to
continue using our science-based capabilities to deliver on our purpose of
creating brighter lives for all.”