The group has entered a joint venture with Kobelco Eco-Solutions for a PVC recycling unit in Japan

The group has entered a joint venture with Kobelco Eco-Solutions for a PVC recycling unit in Japan

Solvay is to set up a Vinyloop PVC recycling unit in Japan under a joint venture signed with Kobelco Eco-Solutions. The companies are planning to launch Asia’s first Vinyloop plant at the end of 2005, pending government approvals. The decision follows a two-year feasibility, market and technical study.

The unit, to be located south-east of Tokyo, will initially produce 12,000tpa of recycled PVC. It will recycle used cables and agricultural film from greenhouses, as well as operating as a pilot plant for recycling automotive parts. It may also diversify into recovery of other PVC waste, such as wallpaper. Kobelco Eco-Solutions will own 66% of the joint-venture company, with Nippon Solvay taking a 34% share.