Grandpuits Zero-crude Platform: TotalEnergies Starts Production at France’s First Advanced Plastics Recycling Plant

Key Terms

advanced plastics recycling technical

Advanced plastics recycling uses chemical or heat-based processes to break down mixed or contaminated plastic waste into basic chemicals, fuel or new high-quality plastic raw material, rather than just melting and reprocessing scraps. For investors it matters because it can turn hard-to-recycle waste into a sellable feedstock, potentially lowering material costs, creating new revenue streams and addressing regulatory and sustainability pressures—though technology, scale and economics vary widely.

pyrolysis technical

Pyrolysis is a heat-driven process that breaks down organic or plastic materials into simpler gases, liquids and solid carbon by heating them in the absence of oxygen; think of it as controlled charring that captures useful byproducts instead of burning them to ash. Investors care because pyrolysis can turn waste into saleable fuels, chemical feedstocks or carbon-rich solids, create new revenue streams, cut disposal costs and qualify for environmental credits, all of which affect a project’s economics and sustainability profile.

synthetic oil technical

A synthetic oil is a laboratory-engineered lubricant made from chemically refined base fluids and additives designed to deliver more consistent performance than conventional mineral oils. For investors, it matters because synthetic oils often command higher prices, can reduce equipment wear and maintenance costs, and support premium product lines and longer service intervals—factors that can boost margins, create recurring revenue from aftermarket sales, and reduce downtime risk for companies in manufacturing, automotive, and industrial sectors.

petrochemical feedstock technical

Raw materials derived from crude oil, natural gas or coal that are processed into basic chemicals used to make plastics, solvents, fertilizers and other industrial products. Think of feedstock as the “flour” for the chemical and plastics industries: its availability, quality and price directly affect producers’ costs, profit margins and supply chains, so fluctuations or regulatory changes can meaningfully influence company valuations and market risk.

landfill technical

A landfill is a designated site where household, industrial, and construction waste is buried and managed to prevent pollution and control odors, roughly like a large, engineered backyard for trash with layers, liners, and systems to collect gases and liquids. Investors care because landfills are long-lived infrastructure assets that generate steady revenue from tipping fees, can carry environmental and regulatory risks, and may offer value from gas-to-energy projects or future land reuse.

incineration technical

Incineration is the controlled burning of waste at high temperatures to reduce it to ash, gases and heat, like putting garbage through an industrial oven that dramatically shrinks its volume. For investors, it matters because incineration operations and contracts involve significant capital, regulatory permits, emissions monitoring and potential liabilities or revenue from energy recovery, so changes in rules, costs or community opposition can affect a company’s finances and risk profile.

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PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TotalEnergies has launched France’s first advanced plastics recycling plant, with an annual capacity of 15,000 tons, at its Grandpuits site southeast of Paris. This start-up marks another step in the conversion of the refinery into a zero-crude platform.

A brand-new plastics recycling activity

The new plant uses innovative recycling technology supplied by our partner Plastic Energy. It transforms hard-to-recycle plastic waste from French households, which is currently sent to landfill or incineration, into a synthetic oil through a pyrolysis process, involving heating the waste to high temperatures in an oxygen-free environment and under pressure. This advanced recycling process makes it possible to recycle waste that cannot be recycled mechanically.

Recycled plastics identical to virgin plastics

The synthetic oil is then treated as petrochemical feedstock, as a substitute for fossil fuels. It contributes to producing recycled plastics of the same quality as virgin plastics, compatible with the strictest requirements for food contact and medical applications. TotalEnergies signed an agreement with two French partners in 2023: Citeo¹ and Paprec, to secure the plant’s long-term supply of plastic waste.

"The start-up of the first advanced plastics recycling plant in France is an important milestone in the conversion of our Grandpuits site into a zero-crude complex. Alongside Plastic Energy, contributing its technology, and our partners Citeo and Paprec, we are supporting the emergence of a brand-new French plastic recycling activity," declared Valérie Goff, Senior Vice President, Renewables, Fuels & Chemicals at TotalEnergies.

About TotalEnergies

TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations.

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Cautionary Note

The terms “TotalEnergies”, “TotalEnergies company” or “Company” in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. TotalEnergies SE has no liability for the acts or omissions of these entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies’ financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

¹ An eco-organisation dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of household packaging and paper.

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TotalEnergies Contacts
Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 | presse@totalenergies.com | @TotalEnergiesPR
Relations Investisseurs : +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 | ir@totalenergies.com

Source: TOTALENERGIES SE