Plastic Energy, a global leader in chemical recycling, confirmed a new ownership structure and the return of founder Carlos Monreal as chief executive officer. The transition marks the start of a new chapter for the company, led by Monreal’s entrepreneurial vision, technical expertise and over two decades of industry knowledge.
Plastic Energy’s proprietary TAC™ technology will remain at the core of the business, with operations and development continuing across Europe and at research labs at Loughborough University in the UK. Proven at industrial scale for over ten years, the advanced recycling technology has already processed over 40,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastics to date, underpinned partnerships with leading petrochemical companies and achieved industry-leading regulatory certifications.
The wider chemical recycling sector has faced a challenging investment environment, shaped by volatile virgin polymer economics and prolonged regulatory uncertainty. Plastic Energy sees this as a decisive moment for the industry in which the core technology has matured, and industrial capacity has been proven.
Policymakers must now match the commitment made by the private sector by providing clear, stable and investment-friendly regulation in support and recognition of companies who have invested early to close the loop on the circular economy of plastics.
Published October 2026
