French energy major Total announced that it has acquired Synova, a French leader in manufacturing high-performance recycled polypropylene for the automotive sector.

Synova produces 20,000 tonnes per year of polypropylene that meets the highest quality standards of original equipment manufacturers and automakers from recycled plastics.

Combining Synova’s recycling expertise and Total’s polymers know-how will increase the supply of recycled polypropylene for automotive applications that deliver the same performance as virgin polymers.

“By contributing to the lighter weight of vehicles, plastics improve their energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. Producing them from recycled materials will also meet the challenge of managing their end of life,” said Bernard Pinatel, president, Refining & Chemicals, Total.

“The acquisition of Synova is a concrete proof of our commitment to developing plastic recycling. It reinforces the activities we already carry out in recycling and contributes to Total’s ambition to be the responsible energy major.”

Total is a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which brings together nearly 30 companies from across the plastics and consumer goods value chain. They have committed more than USD1.0 billion with the goal of investing USD1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste pollution in the environment, particularly in the oceans.

The Group is working on all types of recycling in order to emerge high-performance recycled polymers.

Total is also associated with Citeo, Saint-Gobain and Syndifrais in a project aiming at the emergence of a polystyrene recycling system in France by 2020. The feasibility of a large-scale production will be validated at our industrial sites in Carling, France, and Feluy, Belgium.

In addition, Total is one of the world leaders in bioplastics. Its joint venture Total Corbion PLA owns in Thailand a plant with a capacity of 75,000 tonnes per year of PLA, a 100% biobased, recyclable and biodegradable bioplastic.