Plans for Australia’s first large-scale advanced soft plastics recycling facility are a step closer after Cleanaway and Viva Energy announced the successful completion of their pre-feasibility study for the project.
The collaboration would see the conversion of soft plastics into food-grade recycled plastics using Cleanaway’s collection infrastructure and Viva Energy’s refining and polymerisation capabilities.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 3 April 2025 that will see the project move to a full feasibility study, the next key step in delivery of the project. The partners will be undertaking a 12-month feasibility and engineering study for both the sorting of the plastic and its transformation into pyrolysis oil. This will involve engaging with technology providers and engineering support to develop an integrated concept design and provide greater clarity around the capital and delivery costs.
The Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) phase is expected to start in 2026 once details of the Australian Government’s packaging reform, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), have been finalised.
Cleanaway Executive General Manager, Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Frank Lintvelt said collection of soft plastics from households and commercial customers, and the successful injection of feedstock made from these recycled plastics into the refinery had already proven the technical viability of key elements of the project.
“We are looking to establish a pathway to a fully circular solution for soft plastics in Australia,” he said. “Soft plastics are high on the list in our conversations with municipal and commercial customers looking for sustainable outcomes for this problematic waste stream. Cleanaway is uniquely positioned to leverage its national collection and processing footprint to deliver a solution at scale together with Viva Energy.”
Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said he had been encouraged by strong engagement from both government and industry, which has given Viva Energy the confidence to proceed to the next stage of the project.
“There is a clear need and appetite for this infrastructure in Australia, driven by growing recognition of the need for a domestic circular solution to the soft plastic challenge,” he said. “This is another example of Viva Energy expanding the diversity of feedstock being utilised through the refinery as we continue to navigate a new pathway for the future of this critical infrastructure. Ours is the only Australian refinery with a polypropylene plant, so Viva Energy will have a critical role to play in establishing a fully closed loop to transform waste plastics into new food-grade plastics in this country.”
The Australian Government announced in 2022 that it would be reforming packaging regulation, with mandatory obligations on packaging design, recycled content and the removal of harmful chemicals. Feedback from the public consultation last year by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) demonstrated strong engagement and a preference from industry and community to support the creation of a mandatory EPR scheme for packaging where revenue funds are reinvested into the packaging supply chain. The EPR scheme for packaging and soft plastics will give all stakeholders confidence to invest and will incentivise brands to ensure packaging design is compatible with the recycling process and in line with international best practice.
Viva Energy Media Enquiries:
Michael Cave
T: +61 409 647 910
E: [email protected]
Cleanaway Media Enquiries:
Mark Biddulph
T: +61 499 332 601
E: [email protected]
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy (ASX: VEA) is a leading convenience retailer, commercial services and energy infrastructure business, with a history spanning more than 120 years in Australia. The Group operates a convenience and fuel network of almost 900 stores across Australia and supplies fuels and lubricants to a total network of nearly 1,500 service stations.
Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery in Victoria, and operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals, polymers and lubricants businesses supported by more than 20 terminals and 80 airports and airfields across the country. www.vivaenergy.com.au
About Cleanaway
Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) is Australia’s leading waste management company with a national network of unique collection, processing, treatment and landfill assets. Cleanaway operates from more than 330 locations and employs more than 7,900 people. Our philosophy is that all waste is a resource and we aim to incorporate recovery, recycling and reuse throughout our operations and those of our clients. Our purpose is making a sustainable future possible together.