The plastic industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution, accounting for around 8% of global oil consumption. The production of plastics requires the use of fossil fuels and the process of plastic degradation can release harmful chemicals into the environment. The negative impact of plastic waste on marine life and human health is also a growing concern, with approximately eight million tons of plastic waste entering the world's oceans each year.

Vattenfall, a Swedish energy company, has partnered with BillerudKorsnäs, a leading Swedish packaging company, to create a new type of plastic that is made entirely from renewable and recycled materials. The new material, called "billerudkorsnäs fibrer," is made from pulp and can replace traditional plastics in a range of applications, including food packaging.

If carbon dioxide emissions from a bio-based source are captured (for example in a biomass or waste-to-energy plant), methanol can be produced in an industrial process with the use of fossil free hydrogen (created by electrolysis of water with fossil free electricity) and then be converted into a hydrocarbon. This hydrocarbon can then be used to produce plastics.

Vattenfall has also developed a process called "pyrolysis," which can turn plastic waste into raw materials for new plastic production. The process involves heating the plastic to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen, which breaks down the material into smaller molecules. The resulting raw materials can be used to produce new plastic without the need for fossil fuels.

The development of billerudkorsnäs fibrer and pyrolysis technology has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the plastic industry. By using renewable and recycled materials, the production of plastic can be decoupled from fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing plastic waste from entering the environment.

In addition to the environmental benefits, the new materials and technology also provide a commercial advantage for companies that adopt them. Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable products, and companies that can offer packaging made from renewable and recycled materials are likely to gain a competitive advantage in the market.

Overall, Vattenfall's partnership with BillerudKorsnäs and their development of new materials and technology represent a positive step towards a more sustainable and circular economy.

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