Brightmark starts construction of US plastics-to-fuels facility

San Francisco-based firm Brightmark Energy yesterday celebrated the start of construction of the US’ first commercial-scale plant that will be turning single-use plastics into fuels and wax.

The facility in Ashley, Indiana will cover 112,000 sq ft when fully completed. It will be able to produce more than 18 million gallons of ultra-low sulfur diesel and naphtha blend stocks annually by processing 100,000 tonnes of mixed plastics. In addition to that, it will be producing nearly six million gallons a year of commercial grade wax. BP plc (LON:BP) will be buying the fuels, while AM WAX will be getting the commercial grade waxes.

“Brightmark plans to develop dozens of additional plastics-to-fuel facilities across the United States, and these new locations will all be anchored by the facility we’re breaking ground on today here in Northeast Indiana,” Jay Schabel, President of Brightmark Energy’s plastics division, said on Wednesday.

In April, the company announced financial close for the project. It secured USD 260 million (EUR 233m) in financing, including through the issuance of USD 185 million in Indiana green bonds. As part of the financing transaction, Brightmark Energy became the controlling shareholder of RES Polyflow, the firm that developed the process for converting into useful products mixed plastics, including items that cannot readily be recycled, such as plastic film, flexible packing and styrofoam.

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