Major energy player Total has acquired Synova, a French leader in manufacturing high-performance recycled polypropylene for the automotive sector. By combining Synova’s recycling expertise and its own polymers know-how, Total will increase the supply of recycled polypropylene for automotive applications that deliver the same performance as virgin polymers.

Synova produces 20,000 tonnes per year of polypropylene that meets the highest quality standards of original equipment manufacturers and automakers from recycled plastics, according to a media statement by Total.

Total is a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which brings together nearly 30 companies from across the plastics and consumer goods value chain. These companies are committed to invest $1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste pollution in the environment, particularly in the oceans. The Group is working on all types of recycling in order to emerge high-performance recycled polymers.

Total is also associated with Citeo, Saint-Gobain and Syndifrais in a project aiming at the emergence of a polystyrene recycling system in France by 2020. The feasibility of a large-scale production will be validated at its industrial sites in Carling (France) and Feluy (Belgium).

In addition, Total is one of the world leaders in bioplastics. Its joint venture Total Corbion PLA owns a plant with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes per year of PLA in Thailand, a 100 per cent biobased, recyclable and biodegradable bioplastic.

“By contributing to the lighter weight of vehicles, plastics improve their energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Producing them from recycled materials will also meet the challenge of managing their end of life,” said Bernard Pinatel, president refining & chemicals, Total. “The acquisition of Synova is a concrete proof of our commitment to developing plastic recycling. It reinforces the activities we already carry out in recycling and contributes to Total’s ambition to be the responsible energy major.” (PC)