Collaboration drives Australia-first recycling plan at Corio refinery

PLANS to establish an Australia-first soft plastics recycling facility at Viva Energy’s refinery in Corio have progressed to the next stage, with a 12-month feasibility and engineering study now on the horizon.

The study will provide clarity on the project’s costs and see the development of an integrated concept design for the facility, which will convert soft plastic waste into food-grade recycled plastics.

It follows the recent successful completion of a pre-feasibility study by project partners Cleanaway and Viva Energy.

Frank Lintvelt, Cleanaway’s executive general manager of strategy, mergers and acquisitions, said the collection of soft plastics from households and commercial customers, and the successful injection of feedstock made from these recycled plastics into the refinery, had already proven the technical viability of key elements of the project.

“We are looking to establish a pathway to fully circular solution for soft plastics in Australia.

“Soft plastics are high on the list in our conversations with municipal and commercial customers looking for sustainable outcomes for this problematic waste stream.

“Cleanaway is uniquely positioned to leverage its national collection and processing footprint to deliver a solution at scale together with Viva Energy.”

The front-end engineering and design phase of the project is expected to start in 2026, following the finalisation of the federal government’s coming packaging reforms, which will see the implementation of mandatory obligations on recycled content and the removal of harmful chemicals.

Viva Energy’s chief strategy officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said strong engagement from both government and industry had given the organisation the confidence to proceed to the next stage of the soft plastic recycle facility project.

“There is a clear need and appetite for this infrastructure in Australia, driven by growing recognition of the need for a domestic circular solution to the soft plastic challenge.

“This is another example of Viva Energy expanding the diversity of feedstock being utilised through the refinery as we continue to navigate a new pathway for the future of this critical infrastructure.

“Ours is the only Australian refinery with a polypropylene plant, so Viva Energy will have a critical role to play in establishing a fully closed loop to transform waste plastics into new food-grade plastics in this country.”