During a Nov. 21 investor event, company executives discussed the $375 million grant for the new Texas recycling plant and gave updates on the France plant and expansion in end markets. | Photo Courtesy of Eastman
Executives from Tennessee-based Eastman signaled uncertainty with the future of a federal grant supporting construction of their second chemical recycling plant, and apprehension about a potential trade war with China, during the company’s Circular Economy Deep Dive investor meeting.
The addition of 350 million pounds of annual processing capacity comes as feedstock-preparation company Cyclyx, a joint venture involving ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell, announces FID on a second U.S. plant in Texas. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Energy giant ExxonMobil is expanding its U.S. chemical recycling footprint, with 350 million additional pounds of capacity expected to start up in Texas in 2026.
The Houston-based chemicals powerhouse has been pursuing an aggressive strategy as it shifts focus toward circularity. | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock
Chemical majors LyondellBasell and Chevron Phillips Chemical have invested an undisclosed amount in recycling technology company Alterra to help commercialize chemical recycling technology for plastics. Continue Reading
On Sept. 22, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 1053, which extends the state’s plastic bag ban to cover thicker plastic bags previously considered reusable. | Kit Leong/Shutterstock
Several big recycling updates came out of the Golden State this weekend, including new policy, a lawsuit challenging ExxonMobil’s chemical recycling claims and an update about carpet recycling rates. Continue Reading
California sent a handful of bills to the governor’s desk, including bills on plastic film and the deposit return system. | Natalie Board/Shutterstock
Several states end their legislative sessions in late summer, including Massachusetts and California, and in the final days several bills relating to plastics recycling passed both legislative chambers.
Advanced Drainage Systems expects to spend $250 million to $301 million on capital expenditures this year. | Courtesy of ADS
Several plastics reclaimers and recycled resin end users recently shared details about their operations in earnings calls. From capital project spending at ADS to chemical recycling expansions at LyondellBasell, here’s a roundup of recycling operations news.
Eastman’s Kingsport, Tennessee plant uses methanolysis to chemically recycle PET. | Monticello/Shutterstock
In their latest earnings call, Eastman representatives said the company’s chemical recycling facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, is ramping up to 100% capacity and is gearing up to take in a “broader set” of uncommonly recycled plastics. Continue Reading
Emily Friedman, a recycled plastics senior editor at ICIS, expects steady growth in U.S. mechanical recycling capacity despite a slowdown on the announcement of greenfield facilities. | Zombiemaster/Shutterstock
After attending NPE 2024, ICIS’s Emily Friedman walked away thinking that producers of durables are showing interest in recycled resins, the plastics industry needs to add its voice to policy discussions, and there’s growth on the horizon for both mechanical and chemical recycling capacity. Continue Reading
From left: Dan Leif, Holli Alexander and Candace Rutherford. | Big Wave Productions/Plastics Recycling Update
This story has been corrected.
Chemical recyclers are forging partnerships, eyeing underutilized material streams and getting creative to secure enough supply to feed their ambitious plans, according to leaders in the sector. Continue Reading
Brightmark announced a new pyrolysis plant in Georgia, following up on canceled 2022 Georgia plant plans. | Courtesy of Brightmark
Brightmark is developing a pyrolysis plant in Georgia capable of processing 800 million pounds of mixed plastics per year, the company announced last week. Continue Reading