Decarbonisation options for the Dutch bottle-grade PET industry

This report describes the current status of the bottle-grade PET production by Indorama in the Netherlands, and discusses potential decarbonisation options. The study is part of the MIDDEN project (Manufacturing Industry Decarbonisation Data Exchange Network). The MIDDEN project aims to support industry, policymakers, analysts, and the energy sector in their common efforts to achieve deep decarbonisation.

Indorama Rotterdam is a petrochemical company which specializes in the production of bottle-grade PET (polyethylene terephthalate) pellets and PTA (purified terephthalic acid) powder. Indorama, located in the Europoort section of the Port of Rotterdam, is the largest producer of bottle-grade PET and PTA in the Netherlands. 

Bottle-grade PET is used in the manufacturing of packaging (mainly beverage bottles). PET is produced by esterifying and polymerizing PTA and MEG (mono-ethylene glycol). PTA is for a key material input to PET production and is produced by oxidizing PX (para-xylene).

The processes at Indorama Rotterdam require electricity, steam and heat which are provided by an on-site natural gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) installation and natural gas boilers, complemented by grid electricity.

Decarbonisation options for bottle-grade PET production

  • Fuel substitution
  • Energy efficiency 
  • Material efficiency, material substitution and circularity

Authors

Other authors
A.Tran
K.J. West

Specifications

Publication title
Decarbonisation options for the Dutch bottle-grade PET industry
Publication date
7 May 2021
Publication type
Rapport
Publication language
Engels
Product number
4617