It’s a thumbs up for MENA’s first plastic waste-to-feedstock process: Saudi oil giant Aramco, petrochemicals firm Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic), and France’s TotalEnergies have succeeded in converting oil derived from plastic waste into certified circular polymers for the first time in the MENA region, according to a statement. The plastic waste derived oil (PDO) was processed at Aramco-TotalEnergies JV SATORP refinery in Jubail. The PDO was used later as a feedstock by Sabic affiliate Petrokemya for the production of certified circular polymers.

Why this matters: The process would pave the way for the use of non-sorted plastics — which are often complex to recycle mechanically — to solve the dilemma of end-of-life plastics, the statement notes. It will also help establish a domestic value chain for the advanced plastic recycling to circular polymers in the country.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

• Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and UAE renewables company Masdar signed an agreement to jointly explore decarbonisation and energy transition projects in MENA and Southeast Asia. (The National)