The Plastic Back process separates carbon and chlorine from discarded PVC, and the pilot plant will be sited at Freepoint Eco-Systems’ site in Hebron, Ohio. | Photo courtesy Plastic Back
Plastic Back, an Israeli startup, is taking a major step toward solving one of the toughest challenges in plastics recycling: recovering value from mixed plastic waste that includes PVC.
Dissolution recycling processes leave a polymer structure intact, and belong in the physical recycling category along with mechanical recycling, Plastics Recyclers Europe said. | Rene Notenbomer/Shutterstock
Industry association Plastics Recyclers Europe is looking to raise the profile of dissolution recycling, an often-overlooked process that doesn’t quite fit into common recycling categories. Continue Reading
A Dow executive discusses end-market potential for recovered flexible films, and an article explores the challenges of recovering plastics from toys.
The immediate effect of a tiered incentive shows the power of state-level initiatives to support the value chain and reinforce EPR laws. | Photoeu / Shutterstock
Recycling technology company Carbios will restart construction on its enzymatic PET recycling plant in Longlaville, a move attributed in part to French governmental incentives. The so-called biorecycling plant is expected to start production in the second half of 2027.
In recent months the chemical recycler has faced community objections to its proposed chemical recycling plant in Northern California. | Courtesy of Resynergi
Chemical recycling startup Resynergi will move its operations from northern California to another state after experiencing more community pushback than it expected, the CEO said.
Continue Reading
Charter Next Generation will use chemically recycled polyethylene produced at Shell’s plant in Monaca, Pennsylvania, in its flexible packaging.| Photo courtesy Shell Polymers
Editor’s Note: Chemical recycling will be featured in sessions at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference, Feb. 23-25 in San Diego, California. Register now for the best rates.
Specialty film producer Charter Next Generation has agreed to buy polyethylene (PE) produced by Shell Polymers using chemically recycled feedstock, for use in high-performance flexible packaging. Continue Reading
The two major U.S. chemical companies cited subdued demand and an unfavorable capital investment climate. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Two U.S. chemical recyclers have announced delays to major investments in the emerging technology, amid a challenging demand environment and funding concerns. Continue Reading
The company is exploring options to increase RPET production, including debottlenecking the existing Kingsport methanolysis plant and exploring locations other than Longview, Texas. | Trismegist san/Shutterstock
Eastman Chemical will delay its second U.S. methanolysis plant for two years, as it appeals the revocation of a key federal grant and explores capacity expansions at its flagship site in Tennessee and other locations, CEO Mark Costa said during an investor call Aug. 1. Continue Reading
Federal rules attempting to regulate new recycling processes and potential contaminants continued a back-and-forth that has lasted at least five years. | John Hanson Pye/Shutterstock
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn rules first proposed by the Biden administration that addressed chemical recycling and had attracted significant industry opposition. Continue Reading
The $375 million grant represented about one-third of the required funding for the company’s second U.S. chemical recycling plant. The operational Kingsport, Tennessee facility is pictured. | Photo Courtesy of Eastman
Tennessee-based Eastman has lost its $375 million federal grant, which previously had spurred the company to make a final investment decision on its second U.S. methanolysis plant, located in Texas.