Luuk Straatman: “As a Project Engineer and Area Manager, I have been involved from the very beginning in the realisation of Xycle’s first plant in the Europoort area of Rotterdam. After my time at a large international oil company, I realised I wanted to apply my technical expertise in a sector that is truly future-proof. Xycle’s technology and vision immediately stood out: high-quality, scalable chemical recycling with tangible impact.

At Xycle, we operate as a compact, multidisciplinary organisation. Lines are short, responsibilities are clear, and collaboration with our contractors is intensive. This combination of ambitious technology and an agile team makes the work dynamic. Every day, we contribute to building an installation that converts hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable feedstock for new polymers.

Constructing a chemical recycling plant is complex and requires technical precision. That complexity is exactly what motivates me. You can directly see the results of your work reflected in the design, on site and, soon, in the operational plant. As this is only the first step, I look forward to being involved in further scale-up across the Netherlands and Europe. In a new role as well: once construction is completed and commissioning begins, I will take on the position of Production Manager at Xycle.”