Zeopore and BioBTX Increase Yield of Circular Aromatics from Waste Plastics Through Catalyst and Process Synergy Breakthrough
Groningen, July 2026 — Zeopore and BioBTX have announced a breakthrough in catalyst and process synergy that significantly increases the yield of circular aromatics from waste plastics. The collaboration combines Zeopore’s advanced zeolite catalyst technology with BioBTX’s Integrated Catalytic Cyclic Process (ICCP), creating a synergistic system that significantly improves the conversion of plastic waste into valuable circular aromatics.
The breakthrough addresses a fundamental challenge in chemical recycling: maximizing the yield of valuable aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes) from mixed plastic waste streams. Traditional catalytic processes often suffer from catalyst deactivation, poor selectivity, or yield losses when processing contaminated, heterogeneous plastic waste streams.
Zeopore’s advanced zeolite catalyst technology, engineered with precisely controlled mesoporosity, enhances mass transport and accessibility of active sites. When integrated with BioBTX’s ICCP technology — which converts plastic waste into renewable aromatics through catalytic cracking — the combined system achieves significantly higher aromatic yields compared to either technology alone.
The synergy works at multiple levels: Zeopore’s mesoporous zeolites provide improved accessibility for bulky plastic-derived molecules, reducing diffusion limitations that typically limit conversion efficiency. BioBTX’s ICCP process, with its unique cyclic operation, provides optimal conditions for the catalyst to operate at peak performance. Together, they create a system where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
This breakthrough has significant implications for the circular economy. Higher aromatic yields mean more efficient use of plastic waste feedstock, improved process economics, and a stronger business case for chemical recycling at commercial scale. The technology can process mixed, contaminated plastic waste streams that are currently difficult to recycle mechanically, diverting them from incineration or landfill.
The collaboration brings together Zeopore’s expertise in advanced zeolite engineering and BioBTX’s ICCP technology for renewable aromatics production. Both companies are based in the Netherlands, contributing to the country’s growing position as a hub for circular chemistry innovation.
As the chemical industry faces increasing pressure to reduce its reliance on fossil feedstocks and meet recycled content mandates, this catalyst-process synergy represents a meaningful step toward commercially viable chemical recycling at scale.
Sources:
- BioBTX, “Zeopore en BioBTX verhogen de opbrengst van circulaire aromaten uit afvalplastics dankzij doorbraak in katalysator- en processynergie,” July 2026. https://biobtx.com/zeopore-en-biobtx-verhogen-de-opbrengst-van-circulaire-aromaten-uit-afvalplastics-dankzij-doorbraak-in-katalysator-en-processynergie/
- Renewable Carbon News, “BlueAlp and BioBTX Partner to Advance Circular Aromatics from Plastic Waste,” July 2026. https://renewable-carbon.eu/news/bluealp-and-biobtx-partner-to-advance-circular-aromatics-from-plastic-waste/