Chemical recycling Rotterdam

A Strategic Restart for Rotterdam’s Chemical Recycling Hub

The acquisition of the idled Pryme One facility in the Port of Rotterdam marks a decisive step forward for Europe’s circular‑economy ambitions. EMV Capital, through its new subsidiary Winalot BV, has secured the industrial‑scale plant with the goal of bringing it back online using DeepTech Recycling’s proprietary fluidised‑bed reactor technology.

Why This Facility Matters Now

The plant, originally completed in 2023 after more than €50 million in investment, had begun producing pyrolysis oil in 2024 before shutting down in March 2026 due to reactor issues. Its location inside Plant One Rotterdam places it at the heart of one of Europe’s most advanced petrochemical clusters, offering immediate access to refineries, feedstock suppliers, shared infrastructure, and trained operators.

This strategic positioning makes the restart more than a simple refurbishment—it is an opportunity to strengthen a regional ecosystem already committed to industrial decarbonisation and circular feedstock development.  chemical recycling Rotterdam

DeepTech Recycling’s Technology as the Turning Point

DeepTech Recycling, an EMV Capital portfolio company, has already manufactured the reactor intended for installation. If commercial terms are finalised, this would become DeepTech’s first full‑scale commercial deployment, providing a reference site for future customers across Europe’s petrochemical sector.

The retrofit aims to solve the technical bottlenecks that halted operations, replacing the previous reactor with a more robust, fluidised‑bed system designed for continuous processing of mixed plastic waste.  chemical recycling Rotterdam

Investment Structure and Timeline

Winalot’s acquisition was financed through third‑party debt syndicated by EMV Capital Partners, increasing EMV Capital’s assets under management by roughly £2 million. Additional funding—estimated at £6 million—will be required to complete the retrofit and restart operations. EMVCP has been mandated to structure this next phase, potentially combining debt, equity, and non‑dilutive grants.  chemical recycling Rotterdam

If funding proceeds as planned, commercial operations could resume within approximately 18 months. chemical recycling Rotterdam

A Venture Build Model in Action

This project exemplifies EMV Capital’s Venture Build strategy: combining an existing industrial asset, proprietary technology, specialist expertise, and external capital to accelerate commercialisation. The initiative creates value for Winalot, DeepTech Recycling, and EMV Capital shareholders—without requiring cash from the PLC itself.

Expected Impact on Europe’s Circular Economy

Once operational, the plant is expected to generate revenue from recycled oil products used as petrochemical feedstock. More importantly, it will serve as a demonstration of how dormant industrial assets can be repurposed to support Europe’s transition toward circular materials and reduced reliance on virgin fossil feedstocks.

Local development institutions have already expressed strong support, recognising the project’s potential to reinforce Rotterdam’s leadership in sustainable industrial innovation.

Industry Voices

Dr. Ilian Iliev, CEO of EMV Capital, emphasises the strategic value of acquiring a large‑scale facility at a fraction of its construction cost and pairing it with proven technology. DeepTech Recycling’s CEO, Marvine Besong, highlights that the deployment could become a milestone in validating their feedstock‑recycling platform at commercial scale.

A High‑Impact Restart with Long‑Term Potential

If successful, the Rotterdam plant will not only return to operation but also become a flagship site demonstrating how advanced chemical recycling can integrate into Europe’s industrial backbone. The combination of location, technology, and investment strategy positions this project as one of the most significant circular‑economy developments of 2026.

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