UpSolv: Market Launch of Recycled Polystyrene

The Canadian recycling company UpSolv, formerly known as Polystyvert, has announced the commercial-scale market launch of a recycled polystyrene (rPS). The material is based on a recycling process involving dissolution and purification and is intended to be a competitively priced alternative to virgin material.

In extensive field tests, according to the company, the rPS achieved good results in applications made of expanded (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS), as well as in rigid PS components. This confirms its suitability for demanding areas of application such as insulation materials and foam applications. The results of the past two years in cooperation with industry partners and customers have underpinned the technological maturity of the process.

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UpSolv plans to commission its first full-scale plant in the Eastern Townships region of the Canadian province of Quebec within the next 18 months. The plant is expected to process approximately 11,000 tons of polystyrene waste annually. The goal is to supply both regional and international customers with high-quality rPS. Commercial production according to customer specifications is already possible today at the existing site in Montreal.

UpSolv's recycling process focuses on the targeted removal of additives and impurities contained in plastics at the end of their life cycle. Dissolution followed by purification produces a high-purity recyclate that can be used as a so-called drop-in material, allowing for up to 100 percent recycled content in new products. The company names packaging, insulation materials, safety helmets, sporting goods, and technical components among its fields of application.

According to the company, the renaming from Polystyvert to UpSolv reflects the expansion of its activities. The recycling technology is protected by more than 40 patents in 17 countries. In addition to polystyrene, UpSolv also addresses other thermoplastics such as ABS and supplies industries such as construction, packaging, electronics, automotive, and toy manufacturing.

More information: www.upsolv.ca

UpSolv, Montréal, Kanada

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