Circular economy

Circular economy is a concept of sustainable production and consumption aimed at keeping resources in use as much as possible, eliminating excessive waste and impact on the environment. At SIBUR, we seek to integrate this concept into our business model at all stages of the product life cycle.

Polymers are drivers of innovation, key to the green economy and decarbonization. The circular economy accounts for up to 45% of the global potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As part of our Industry Transformation initiative, we have launched a division dedicated to the development of recycling and sustainable solutions with the aim of strengthening initiatives to return recycled plastic to the production cycle.

In 2025, SIBUR summarized the results of its five-year Sustainable Development Strategy. In the area of closed-loop economy, the following results were achieved:

111,000 tonnes

Amount of polymer waste, recycled as part of our own investment projects and joint initiatives with partners

40,6%

Share of PET production containing recycled granules in total PET production

133.9 million rubles

Volume of investment in research and development related to polymer recycling and the use of renewable raw materials

287,000 tonnes

Low-carbon products and products containing secondary or bio-based raw materials, manufactured by SIBUR enterprises

80 brands

Number of secondary compounds developed using market-sourced secondary raw materials and in-house waste

Goals

In 2025, SIBUR adopted a new sustainability strategy for the period up to 2030, which sets even more ambitious goals in the area of circular economy.

Facilitate the recycling of at least 600,000 tonnes of polymer waste through our own projects and joint projects with partners between 2025 and 2029, including the expansion of contract manufacturing for the recycling of various types of plastic
Bring the production of «sustainable» products to 400,000 tonnes per year by 2029. «Sustainable» products are low-carbon products or products containing secondary or bio-based raw materials
Develop, implement, and scale up technologies for the chemical processing of mixed plastics

Manufacturing materials from oil and gas industry by-products

SIBUR’s business model involves the processing of oil and gas industry by-products. Previously, these raw materials were burned at the fields, which increased CO₂ emissions. By incorporating associated petroleum gas into processing, SIBUR’s enterprises produce modern materials and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. SIBUR’s petrochemical products have great potential for secondary processing, which allows the principles of a closed-loop economy to be implemented in practice.

Cooperation in the field of closed-loop economy with downstream customers and retail chains

SIBUR actively interacts with customers participating in industry markets, including the packaging segment. The company develops production technologies that increase the recyclability of end products and helps recycling customers modernize the industrial design of their products to improve their recyclability. The company implements joint projects with major retail players: it develops infrastructure for separate waste collection and helps systematize the process of further recycling.

Development of chemical recycling technologies for polymers

SIBUR is looking toward the development of chemical recycling technologies that can completely modernize the polymer waste processing process and significantly increase the share of plastics returned to the production cycle after use. Chemical recycling will make it possible to completely break down even contaminated plastic waste back into hydrocarbons and «recollect» the materials. The development of this technology could make the consumer waste recycling cycle virtually endless. At the same time, the raw materials obtained in the chemical recycling process can be widely used in the production of products for the food industry.

Environmental education

Building a closed-loop economy is impossible without developing a culture of waste management among end consumers. Together with our partners, we conduct environmental education activities, promoting a culture of caring for nature and teaching people how to handle plastic properly.

Increasing production using recycled materials

SIBUR is expanding its range of brands containing recycled materials and low-carbon components. This has been made possible by the implementation of its own and partner projects for the separate collection and recycling of polymer waste, the development of cooperation with suppliers of secondary raw materials and research centers, as well as the introduction of advanced technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of its products.

The growth in production volumes of products made from secondary raw materials and low-carbon solutions confirms the high demand from SIBUR’s partners in various sectors of the economy, which indicates the growing role of sustainable solutions in industry.

In 2022, SIBUR introduced an innovative brand of polymer materials containing recycled plastic— Vivilen, and also launched production of PET granules containing up to 30% recycled plastic at its plant in the Republic of Bashkortostan, intended for the manufacture of eco-friendly food packaging.
The innovative brand of polymer materials containing recycled plastic, Vivilen, enables the creation of a unique platform for interaction between participants in the closed-loop economy: consumers, manufacturers, recyclers of secondary raw materials, and government representatives. Thanks to the production of Vivilen granules for food packaging, more than 3 billion plastic bottles collected throughout Russia have been returned to the production cycle.

more details

Projects in the field of circular economy

Eco-houses

In 2022, SIBUR and the Tyumen Environmental Association, with the support of the Tyumen Region government, opened the Goodwin and Central eco-houses in Tyumen. These are modern public spaces where residents and visitors to the city can learn new things, discuss ecology, and recycle the most suitable types of recyclable materials.

Environmental partnership in large-scale running events

For several years in a row, SIBUR has been helping the organizers of the Moscow and Kazan marathons reduce the environmental footprint of the country’s largest running events. Water for participants is supplied in recycled plastic packaging, and separate waste collection points are in operation at the venues. SIBUR recycles the collected plastic into Vivilen granules.

Ecomatches and cooperation with the VTB United League

The VTB United League is a long-standing partner of SIBUR in the field of environmental projects, promoting separate waste collection and demonstrating the possibilities of plastic reuse. In 2018, the partners presented the first eco-ball, which was created using recycled polymers. Today, the official ball of the Russian professional basketball premier league and its calling card is the updated EcoBall 2 from SIBUR and the Russian brand Jögel. It is the first Russian ball to receive the highest level of certification from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). Several recycled plastic bottles are used to produce each ball. By 2024, two basketballs, a rugby ball, and a soccer ball were produced in collaboration with the Jögel brand.

Limited edition collection of Brevno x Vivilen frames

In 2024, SIBUR and the Vivilen brand presented a collaboration with the Russian eyewear brand Brevno. The brands released a limited edition collection of frames called Midori, which included 12 models of glasses made from recycled plastic in five colors. The raw material for the frames was recycled cosmetic bottles collected by city residents in special containers for separate collection. The face of the collection was TV presenter and blogger Irena Ponaroshku.

Environmental partnership with hotels and motels

For many years, SIBUR and the AZIMUT hotel chain have been implementing the environmental project «Plastic is not waste,» aimed at recycling cosmetic items and accessories in the rooms of the AZIMUT hotel chain. Since 2023, SIBUR has been cooperating with the Trade Comfort group of companies: the partners have developed cosmetic bottles made from Vivilen PET granules with up to 25% recycled plastic. Now, over 100 hotels across the country, including the AZIMUT hotel chain, offer guests individual Trade Comfort cosmetic sets in packaging made from recycled plastic.

Children’s interactive book «The Story of One Summer, or 45 Facts About Plastic»

The publication «The Story of One Summer, or 45 Facts About Plastic» is a children’s book that develops critical thinking and a conscious attitude towards the use of natural resources. This interactive book for families with children aged 6 to 12 encourages young readers to care for the planet and teaches them about waste sorting in a playful way. Together with the book’s characters, readers learn why plastic was invented and why it has become so widespread in our lives, as well as how to properly handle plastic packaging so that it can be recycled and given a new life. The book is available on marketplaces and in a number of large bookstores.

«Second Life of Plastic»: a nationwide program of environmental lessons for schoolchildren

SIBUR is implementing a large-scale environmental education program called «Second Life of Plastic» for students in grades 5-11. Developed in 2019 with the participation of environmental experts and educators, the program is regularly updated, combining advanced educational techniques and modern methods of communication with students. In 2024, SIBUR and the Экокласс.рф project relaunched the «Second Life of Plastic» environmental education program. More than 35,000 schoolchildren across Russia participated in the updated eco-lessons at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. The educational program is available to everyone: after registering on the website втораяжизньпластика.рф, teachers receive a ready-made set of materials for conducting classes.

The project has received widespread recognition at several prestigious awards, such as Silver Mercury and Silver Archer, and has also been honored with the Donors Forum award.

втораяжизньпластика.рф

Your browser is out of date. Please update to view the site

Your browser is not supported by the site. Please use another to further use the resource

Circular economy

111,000 tonnes

40,6%

133.9 million rubles

287,000 tonnes

80 brands

A second life for plastic with Vivilen

Goals

In 2025, SIBUR adopted a new sustainability strategy for the period up to 2030, which sets even more ambitious goals in the area of circular economy.

Promoting and implementing circular economy principles

Manufacturing materials from oil and gas industry by-products

Cooperation in the field of closed-loop economy with downstream customers and retail chains

Development of chemical recycling technologies for polymers

Environmental education

Increasing production using recycled materials

Projects in the field of circular economy

Eco-houses

Environmental partnership in large-scale running events

Ecomatches and cooperation with the VTB United League

Limited edition collection of Brevno x Vivilen frames

Environmental partnership with hotels and motels

Children’s interactive book «The Story of One Summer, or 45 Facts About Plastic»

«Second Life of Plastic»: a nationwide program of environmental lessons for schoolchildren

Your browser is out of date. Please update to view the site

Your browser is not supported by the site. Please use another to further use the resource

Circular economy

111,000 tonnes

40,6%

133.9 million rubles

287,000 tonnes

80 brands

A second life for plastic with Vivilen

Goals

In 2025, SIBUR adopted a new sustainability strategy for the period up to 2030, which sets even more ambitious goals in the area of circular economy.

Promoting and implementing circular economy principles

Manufacturing materials from oil and gas industry by-products

Cooperation in the field of closed-loop economy with downstream customers and retail chains

Development of chemical recycling technologies for polymers

Environmental education

Increasing production using recycled materials

Projects in the field of circular economy

Eco-houses

Environmental partnership in large-scale running events

Ecomatches and cooperation with the VTB United League

Limited edition collection of Brevno x Vivilen frames

Environmental partnership with hotels and motels

Children’s interactive book «The Story of One Summer, or 45 Facts About Plastic»

«Second Life of Plastic»: a nationwide program of environmental lessons for schoolchildren

Leave an application

Leave Feedback

Subscribe to news