Circular business model pioneers SATORP MENA's first waste-to-feedstock technique

has introduced a pioneering process that enables chemical recycling of plastic waste-derived oil as a feedstock to the refinery, the company said in a statement.

“Our company’s commitment to the welfare of our planet and fellow humans is set in stone. Our team works relentlessly in providing a reliable, affordable energy source to our customers while engaging in a breadth of sustainability initiatives to safeguard our environment,” said Abdullah S. Suwailem,  president & CEO of SATORP, a joint venture between Aramco and TotalEnergies.

The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Plus certificate that SATORP earned in July 2022 was a watershed moment in the company's efforts to validate the supply chain for incorporating oil created from plastic waste into refining operations. SATORP is the first refinery in the MENA region to receive certification for plastic recycling.

SATORP Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer Mohammed Al-Ghamdi said, “SATORP is well positioned to be a part of the solution in our region’s sustainability journey. Our world-class assets and engineering expertise combined with environmental stewardship help us to address complex environmental challenges.” He added: “This initiative is pursued in alignment with our partners at Aramco and SABIC to produce the first circular polymers in the MENA region, utilizing a novel processing route starting from SATORP refinery and passing through Aramco and SABIC assets, where the first in-Kingdom circular polymers will be produced.”

Al-Ghamdi disclosed that their interdisciplinary technical teams have jointly assessed and de-risked the alternative processing pathway for this environmentally friendly feedstock. ISCC+ is the international benchmark for the certification of recycled and biobased materials. An ISCC+ accreditation confirms that a business is following environmental and social norms, and allows for full supply chain visibility and auditability, according to the press release. To get an ISCC+ seal of approval, a facility must demonstrate compliance with standards for protecting the environment in areas such as soil, water, and air. Safe working conditions, respect for human, labour, and land rights, and efficient management are all guaranteed. As part of its cutting-edge circular business strategy, SATORP incorporates oil obtained from plastic trash into its refinery's processing facilities, where it is transformed into raw material intermediates for the petrochemical industry.