Overview
BlueAlp is a Dutch chemical recycling technology company founded in 2014, headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands. The company has developed and commercialized a continuous rotary kiln pyrolysis technology that converts mixed, contaminated plastic waste into high-quality pyrolysis oil. This pyrolysis oil serves as a circular feedstock for steam crackers, enabling the production of new plastics with recycled content.
BlueAlp’s technology addresses a critical gap in the circular economy: the ability to process mixed, contaminated, and multi-layer plastic waste streams that are unsuitable for mechanical recycling. Their continuous process operates at technology readiness level 9 (TRL 9), with proven commercial deployment at the Renasci facility in Oostende, Belgium (21 kt/year capacity).
Core Technology: Continuous Rotary Kiln Pyrolysis
Process Overview:
BlueAlp’s pyrolysis technology uses a continuous rotary kiln reactor that gradually heats mixed plastic waste in an oxygen-free environment. The process:
- Feedstock Preparation: Mixed plastic waste is shredded and fed into the rotary kiln
- Thermal Decomposition: Plastics are gradually heated to 400-500°C in an oxygen-free environment, breaking polymer chains into smaller hydrocarbon molecules
- Vapor Phase Conversion: The resulting vapors are condensed into liquid pyrolysis oil
- Product Upgrading: The pyrolysis oil can be further refined or fed directly to steam crackers
Key Technical Advantages:
- Continuous Operation: Unlike batch processes, continuous rotary kiln enables 24/7 operation with consistent product quality
- TRL 9 Maturity: Proven at commercial scale at Renasci (21 kt/year) since 2020
- Flexible Feedstock: Handles mixed, contaminated, and multi-layer plastics that mechanical recycling cannot process
- High Liquid Yield: Typically 70-75% liquid yield from polyolefin-rich waste streams
- Low Contaminant Levels: Pyrolysis oil meets steam cracker specifications after standard upgrading
Commercial Deployments
Renasci Oostende (Belgium) — First commercial deployment
- Capacity: 21 kt/year plastic waste input
- Operational since 2020
- Produces pyrolysis oil for steam cracker feedstock
- Validated BlueAlp’s technology at commercial scale
BlueAlp x BioBTX Partnership (Delfzijl, Netherlands) — Announced April 2026
- BlueAlp selected as pyrolysis technology partner for BioBTX’s PETRA Circular Chemicals Plant
- Integrated system: BlueAlp pyrolysis → BioBTX ICCP catalytic upgrading
- Capacity: ~20 kt/year mixed plastic waste
- Produces circular benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX)
- Modules fabricated at BlueAlp’s Eindhoven headquarters, shipped to Delfzijl from December 2026
Strategic Partnerships & Investors
Shell — Strategic investor and offtake partner for pyrolysis oil Borouge International — Strategic investor and potential offtake partner BioBTX — Technology partner for integrated pyrolysis + catalytic upgrading Renasci — First commercial licensee and operating partner
Market Position & Impact
BlueAlp occupies a unique position in the chemical recycling landscape:
- Technology Differentiator: Continuous rotary kiln vs. batch processes (TRL 9 vs. TRL 6-7 for most competitors)
- Feedstock Flexibility: Handles mixed polyolefins (PE, PP), multi-layer films, and contaminated streams
- Circular Feedstock: Produces pyrolysis oil that replaces fossil naphtha in steam crackers
- Regulatory Alignment: Enables compliance with EU recycled content mandates (PPWR) and US state-level mandates
Environmental Impact:
- Each tonne of plastic waste processed avoids ~2.5 tonnes CO2e vs. incineration
- Pyrolysis oil reduces fossil naphtha demand by ~70-75%
- Enables circular production of food-grade plastics via mass balance allocation
Future Roadmap
- Capacity Expansion: Targeting 100+ kt/year cumulative licensed capacity by 2030
- Geographic Expansion: Active projects in Europe, North America, and Asia
- Feedstock Expansion: Developing capability for polystyrene, PET, and other challenging streams
- Product Upgrading: Integrating hydrotreatment for direct naphtha replacement
Leadership & Contact
Valentijn de Neve — CEO
Urvashi Athavale — Media Contact (urvashi.athavale@bluealp.nl, +31 (0)85 782 3044)
Headquarters:
BlueAlp B.V.
Eindhoven, Netherlands
www.bluealp.nl
Last updated: July 29, 2026