The Circular Plastics Fund (CPF) is moving apace, concluding a cornerstone investment in Itero Technologies (Itero), an advanced recycling technology firm that converts end-of-life plastic waste to tradable commodities. This is the second investment by the SFDR Article 9 “Dark Green Fund”, which backs companies scaling up proven advanced recycling technologies.
The Circular Plastics Fund (CPF) is moving apace, concluding a cornerstone investment in Itero Technologies (Itero), an advanced recycling technology firm that converts end-of-life plastic waste to tradable commodities. This is the second investment by the SFDR Article 9 “Dark Green Fund”, which backs companies scaling up proven advanced recycling technologies.
It is a growing global priority to decarbonise the economy and reduce dependency on fossil feedstocks. In addition to fostering local supply of feedstock, the circular economy is paramount to reducing the carbon footprint of plastics. The Circular Plastics Fund makes growth investments in technology companies that break surging plastic waste streams down into primary commodities, which can then be reused by the industry as inputs for new (plastic) products, enabling a circular economy in plastics.
Beyond funding, the Infinity Recycling (Infinity) team drives value by supporting portfolio companies to market their valuable products and optimise operations for impact. “Infinity's investment is recognition of the potential of Itero's technology, and it is meaningful to be working with a fund which is as dedicated to sustainability as we are at Itero.” said, Simon Hansford, Itero's CEO.
Jeroen Kelder, Infinity's Managing Partner: “Infinity's history with Itero goes back to 2019, and we have supported the company in key stages of its development. Our investment aims to accelerate the world's transition to the circular economy of plastics. Based on McKinsey & Co's 2022 report, an 8% market share of recycled polymers in the European plastics economy will require over EUR 40 billion investment. The current production of recycled polymer is negligible. We are thrilled to spearhead this crucial transition alongside Itero.”
The CPF achieved its first closing in February 2022, with strong backing from reputable investors, and is still welcoming new limited partners as the team prepares for further closings from later in the year.
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About Infinity Recycling
Infinity Recycling was established by Jan Willem Muller and Jeroen Kelder to bring a return-driven approach to sustainability. The team's experience in trading commodities and corporate finance provides considerable value to the technology companies, helping to convert valuable IP into profitable, scalable businesses. Infinity Recycling creates markets for end-of-life waste streams by investing in advanced recycling technologies. Securing suitable waste streams and managing marketing of output through pricing options and structuring steady and scaled offtake contracts puts a return-driven approach to sustainability into practice. Transforming waste into chemical feedstock enables a circular economy, and generates significant, measurable financial and environmental returns.
Global Plastic Supply Chain Investors Line-up at First Close of Infinity Recycling's Circular PlasticsFund, Backing Companies Converting Waste toPrimary Commodities to Reverse Pollution Crisis
ROTTERDAM, Feb 11, 2022 - Infinity Recycling's Circular Plastics Fund, which will invest in companies scaling up proven advanced recycling technologies to break down surging plastic waste flows....
into primary commodities to be reused in perpetuity by the industryas inputs for new products, has received strong backing at its first capital close from global plastic supply chain investors, as well as Invest-NL, the Dutch investment agency.
Investors include U.S. petrochemical companies, Chevron Philips Chemical and LyondellBasell, Singapore-based global materials organisationIndorama and Invest-NL, which have initially committed over EUR 40 million to the fund's Rotterdam-based investment management team. The Circular Plastics Fund is an Article 9 'dark green' impact fund, the highest designation under the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), and targets a net IRR of 18% to 22%. The Luxembourg-registered fund has an initial investment target of EUR 150 million.
The ever-linear consumption of plastics is creating an 'end-of-life' waste crisis. Approximately 400 million tonnes of plastic waste are created annually, equivalent to over 35 kgs for each person on the planet,but less than 20% of this is recycled globally. The remainder ends up in landfills, incinerators, or being leaked into the environment.
Jeroen Kelder, Managing Partner at Infinity Recycling, said: "The world is being overwhelmed by plastic waste and supply continues to grow exponentially because demand isn't slowing down, which means current approaches focused on mechanical recycling will be unable to stem the tide. The Circular Plastics Fund addresses this gap in the market bysupporting companies with tried and tested advancedrecycling technologies and enabling them to scale-up."
The advanced 'upcycling' of waste complements mechanical recycling because it allows the conversion of even the most difficult plastic waste streams into valuable primary commodities and overcomes quality restrictions in the use of recycled materials in the manufacturing of new food packaging, which accounts for around 40% of global plastic demand.3 Management consultancy McKinsey estimates that the global market for advanced recycling plastic will reach 500 million tonnes per year by 2050, generating more than USD 300 billion in revenues and could account for around 40% of total virgin feedstock supply for new products.
Jan-Willem Muller, Managing Partner at Infinity Recycling, said: "We believe that locally sourced waste can be utilised within the existing petrochemical market infrastructure, and that is the fastest and most scalable solution for this existential crisis. It is very appropriate, therefore, that our Circular Plastics Fund has successfully completed its first capital close in the 'Week of the Circular Economy' in the Netherlands."
Global Plastic Supply Chain Investors and Invest-NL Commit to Circular Plastics Fund
Wouter Bos, Invest-NL CEO, said: "Invest-NL is backing Infinity Recycling's Circular Plastics Fund as a cornerstone investor because the fund will invest in innovative technologies that enable the industry to increase the amount of high quality recycled plastics from low quality plastic waste streams. This fits our goal of creating a more circular and sustainable Dutch economy."
Benny Mermans, Vice President of Sustainability at Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) said: "Our company is committed to ensuring plastics continue to deliver societal benefits without having a negative impact on the environment by producing our life-enriching products sustainably, leaving behind the lightest footprint and enabling others to do so as well. Plastic waste is a valuable resource and keeping it in the loop as long as possible will contribute to the creation of a circular economy for plastics. Through this investment in Infinity Recycling's Fund, our company aims to support the most promising advanced recycling technologies, connect the value chain and prove the complementarity of mechanical and advanced recycling, all important steps to accelerate change for a sustainable future."
Richard Roudeix, Senior Vice President Olefins and Polyolefins, EMEA and India at LyondellBasell concluded: “We believe collaboration across the value chain is critical to our joint success as we seek to end plastic waste in the environment. LyondellBasell's commitment to Infinity Recycling, our first fund investment in Europe, reflects our dedication to accelerate efforts to achieve a circular economy for plastics by catalyzing further investment in recycling technologies. Plastics enable a modern society and are essential to developing a more sustainable world. Through this fund, we aim for society to continue to realise the benefits of these materials by supporting the continued development of recycling technologies to increase the recyclability of plastic waste."
New Amsterdam is the placement agent for the Circular Plastics Fund; Loyens & Loeff the legal advisors, Mazars Group provided audit and tax advisory and Sustainable Capital Group advised on sustainability-related compliance. Trustmoore Luxembourg is the fund's administrator.
Infinity Recycling creates markets for end of life waste streams by investing in advanced recycling technologies and connecting the value chain.
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