Plastics Research in Action

We take great pride in developing North America’s first integrated propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene complex. Being a safe, responsible operator and producer of quality, recyclable plastic is something Inter Pipeline intends to be proud of as well.

Overview

We believe plastic belongs in the economy, not the environment. When plastic products complete their usefulness, they don’t belong in landfills and should be considered a valuable resource that should be recycled and reused. When a plastic product re-enters the production cycle and is recycled for future use, this is known as the circular economy. That’s why we are looking at ways to contribute to tangible solutions.

Plastics Research In Action

Heartland Polymers, Inter Pipeline’s polypropylene brand, and The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) are working together on applied research to look at ways to reuse and recycle plastic in Canada. The ten-year agreement, known as Plastics Research in Action (PRIA), is funded by our $10 million commitment, which represents the largest applied research partnership in NAIT’s history. 

Read the Press Release

The Plastics Research in Action initiative focuses on identifying opportunities for society to reuse and recycle plastic waste as well as optimizing facility processes at our Heartland Petrochemical Complex. Check back here for regular updates on research projects supported under this banner or visit nait.ca/pria for more information on this collaborative partnership.

Plastics Research in Action – Third Year Update

In partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Heartland Polymers, Inter Pipeline’s polypropylene brand, hosted a virtual Plastics Research in Action Third Year Update event on November 17. The update event was held in person at NAIT’s Productivity & Innovation Centre as well as broadcasted online for attendees to tune in virtually. Presenters from several of the research initiatives underway shared project updates on some of their work to date and opened up the floor for questions. In-person attendees also had the opportunity to tour NAIT’s lab where PRIA applied research is underway.

Plastics Research in Action – Second Year Update

In partnership with the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Inter Pipeline hosted a virtual Plastics Research in Action Second Year Update event on November 25. The Plastics Research in Action initiative, a ten-year research program led by industry and research experts at Inter Pipeline and NAIT, focuses on identifying opportunities for society to reuse and recycle plastic waste as well as optimizing facility processes at Inter Pipeline’s Heartland Petrochemical Complex. During this live virtual event, presenters from several of the research initiatives underway shared project updates on some of their work to date and answered questions.

Plastics Research in Action: One-Year Virtual Update

Inter Pipeline was joined by Plastics Research in Action partner The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) as well as David James, Associate Deputy Minister, Natural Gas, Alberta Energy, for a live virtual update on the progress of plastics waste applied research projects on November 19, 2020. The ten-year agreement, known as Plastics Research in Action (PRIA), is funded by a $10 million commitment from Inter Pipeline, representing the largest applied research partnership in NAIT’s history.

Other Environmentally Responsible Partnerships

Member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW)

We are proud members of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW), an international non-profit organization with the vision of ending plastic waste in the environment.

Read more about our involvement with AEPW or read the release.

Member of the Chemistry Industry Association & Responsible Care

Inter Pipeline and all members of the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) & Responsible Care are proponents of the circular economy and support numerous initiatives collectively and individually to help ensure more plastic flows back into the economy and not the environment. Inter Pipeline is proud to be a part of this organization whose members are committed to eliminating waste from the environment.

  • CIAC members commit to a target of having 100% of plastics packaging being reused, recycled or recovered by 2040 and 100% of plastics packaging being recyclable or recoverable by 2030.
  • CIAC members commit to being part of its flagship Responsible Care program and endorse principles focused on environmental stewardship, safety, public accountability, sustainability and social responsibility.

Curious to learn more about plastics and the circular economy?

Watch these informative videos to learn more.

Heartland Petrochemical Complex

The Heartland Petrochemical Complex is a world-scale integrated complex comprised of a propane dehydrogenation plant (PDH Plant) and polypropylene plant (PP Plant) and a co-generation central utilities block (CUB) in Strathcona County, Alberta, near the Redwater Olefinic Fractionator. The Heartland Petrochemical Complex is designed to convert locally sourced, low-cost propane into 525,000 tonnes per year of polypropylene, an easily transported plastic used in the manufacturing of a wide range of finished products. 

Learn more about our Heartland Complex.