BioBTX builds first plant for sustainable aromatics in Groningen
Last year, BioBTX raised €80 million to build the first plant for renewable aromatics in Delfzijl.
Published on April 30, 2025
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BioBTX is developing a new technology to produce benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) – also known as aromatics – from waste plastics. These chemicals are used in a wide range of products, such as packaging. Currently, aromatics are still produced from fossil oil, but BioBTX aims to change that with a new factory.
The aromatics that BioBTX focuses on comprise a significant portion of the chemicals derived from fossil oil, accounting for approximately 40%. “So we are talking about enormous quantities. Our technology has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of the chemical industry significantly. BTX is at the beginning of the chain. If we can make this greener, the rest of the chain will become greener too”, says Tijmen Vries, director of strategic development at BioBTX.
Full circle
“Chemicals sound dirty, but they are not at all. We need them for everything, from medicines to paint and from clothing to packaging,” he says. That is why, according to Vries, it is so important to produce BTX in a more sustainable way. "Ultimately, we have to move away from fossil raw materials. That is why plastic waste is a good substitute. It closes the loop.”
The company is currently preparing to build its first factory, which is scheduled to open in 2027. With this plant, BioBTX will focus entirely on using waste plastic as a raw material. “In doing so, we are contributing to a solution for the growing problem of plastic waste,” he says.
Fully-fledged replacement
BioBTX's more sustainable aromatics are identical to those produced from fossil oil. That is a significant advantage, says de Vries. “We can use the chemical industry's existing infrastructure. So for potential customers, little will change; they can continue to work in the same way.” The price of sustainable aromatics will be slightly higher initially. “We still have a number of developments to go through, but ultimately we can compete with fossil-based prices."
BioBTX is currently the only company in Europe that produces BTX from waste plastic. "Worldwide, there are only three companies that focus on BTX. Our two competitors are based in the United States. The market is so large that there is enough room for several companies," says Vries.
The Groningen-based company has big plans. Vries: “We will start with one factory. After that, the goal is to build multiple factories around the world.”
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