Overview
Alterra is a pioneering technology company solving plastic pollution through its proprietary thermochemical liquefaction process. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Alterra has developed and commercially operates a showcase facility that processes 60 tons of mixed plastic waste per day — converting it into a liquid hydrocarbon product (pyrolysis oil) that serves as feedstock for new plastic production.
The company’s technology addresses a critical gap in the circular economy: the vast majority of plastic waste (multilayer films, contaminated plastics, mixed streams) cannot be mechanically recycled. Alterra’s process handles these hard-to-recycle streams, producing a consistent, high-quality liquid product that petrochemical crackers can process alongside conventional naphtha.
Key Technology: Thermochemical Liquefaction
Alterra’s patented process is a form of direct thermochemical liquefaction (DTL) — a thermochemical conversion technology that transforms solid plastic waste into liquid hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Key characteristics:
- Feedstock flexibility: Processes mixed polyolefins (PE, PP, PS), multilayer films, and contaminated plastics
- Continuous operation: 24/7 commercial operation since 2020, over 5 years of operating data
- Output: ~300 barrels/day of pyrolysis oil (liquefied waste plastic) per 60-ton module
- Decarbonization: Significantly lower carbon footprint vs. virgin fossil feedstock production
Akron Showcase Facility
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Location | Akron, Ohio, USA |
| Capacity | 60 tons/day (22,000 tons/year) plastic waste input |
| Output | ~300 barrels/day liquefied waste plastic (LWP) |
| Operational since | 2020 (5+ years continuous commercial operation) |
| Technology | Patented thermochemical liquefaction (pyrolysis-based) |
| Feedstock | Post-consumer and post-industrial mixed plastic waste |
The Akron facility serves as both a commercial production site and a technology demonstration platform for licensing partners.
Strategic Partnerships
Nerea™ — Standardized Modular Chemical Recycling (June 2026)
In partnership with Technip Energies and Neste, Alterra launched Nerea™ — a standardized, modular plant solution for chemical recycling deployment worldwide. This offering combines:
- Alterra’s proven thermochemical liquefaction technology
- Neste’s upgrading expertise (Porvoo refinery)
- Technip Energies’ modular engineering and project delivery
Previous Collaborations
- TotalEnergies: Offtake agreement for Akron facility output
- LyondellBasell: Evaluation and testing programs
- Industry consortia: Active in Chemical Recycling Europe, ACC, and other circular economy initiatives
Business Model
Alterra operates as a technology licensor and operator:
- Licensing: Technology packages for third-party plant construction
- Owned/operated facilities: Akron showcase + future expansions
- Engineering services: Process design, commissioning, optimization support
- Feedstock management: Sourcing and pre-processing of plastic waste
Market Position
Alterra is among the few chemical recycling technology providers with proven commercial operation at scale — a critical differentiator in an industry where most technologies remain at pilot/demonstration stage. The 5+ years of continuous operating data provides confidence for project financing and scale-up.
Sustainability Impact
- Waste diversion: Millions of pounds of plastic diverted from landfill/incineration annually
- Circular feedstock: LWP displaces fossil naphtha in steam crackers
- GHG reduction: LCA studies show 30-50% lower carbon footprint vs. virgin plastic production
- Circularity: Enables true circularity for polyolefins — plastics returned to monomer-level building blocks
Related News
- Technip Energies, Alterra and Neste Launch Nerea™ — Standardized Modular Solution for Plastic Chemical Recycling
Related Terms
- Thermochemical Liquefaction — Core technology platform
- Chemical Recycling — Industry category
- Pyrolysis Oil — Primary product
- Liquefied Waste Plastic (LWP) — Product specification
Last updated: July 3, 2026