LyondellBasell’s Yvonne van der Laan awarded Winthrop-Sears medal

Houston, TX – LyondellBasell announced that Yvonne van der Laan, executive vice president of circular and low carbon solutions (CLCS), has been awarded the prestigious Winthrop-Sears medal by The Chemists’ Club. The accolade was presented during the annual Egg Nog Gala held in New York City on Dec. 5. Established in 1970, the Winthrop-Sears medal recognizes individuals whose entrepreneurial achievements have contributed to the vitality of the chemical industry and the betterment of humanity.

“I am proud to accept this medal on behalf of my wonderful colleagues at LyondellBasell,” remarked van der Laan during the annual ceremony. “While they may not be here with us tonight, I want them to know this award is a celebration of their invaluable contributions to sustainable innovation.”

Van der Laan, a seasoned industry leader, has positioned LYB as a pioneer in unlocking the value of waste and promoting a circular economy for plastics through innovation. One of the company’s notable advancements is the proprietary MoReTec technology, an advanced recycling process with an 80% plastic-to-plastic yield*, low energy intensity and the capability to operate on 100% renewable electricity. LYB recently laid the foundation for the first commercial-scale MoReTec unit at its Wesseling plant in Germany, which is expected to start operations in 2026.

“Our investment in the MoReTec technology demonstrates our significant work to lead the transition toward a more circular economy,” she added. “We are building a competitive advantage in the undersupplied market for sustainable, low carbon solutions to create value for our customers and shape the future for our industry.”

“Yvonne’s achievements are a testament to the dedication and pioneering spirit of LyondellBasell in sustainable innovation,” said Dr. Roland Stefandl, president of The Chemists’ Club. “The Winthrop-Sears medal recognizes those who positively impact society through chemistry, and Yvonne exemplifies this, demonstrating LyondellBasell’s leadership in advancing essential lower-carbon solutions.”

Since its establishment in 2022, the LYB CLCS business has been building a robust network for global supplies of recycled and renewable feedstocks, along with sortation and mechanical recycling capabilities. Recent acquisitions, including the solvent-based recycling company APK in Germany and a mechanical recycling facility in Jurupa Valley, California, further strengthen the company’s commitment to circular and low carbon solutions.