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Tag Archives: chemical recycling

Fast fashion company begins chemically recycling textiles

Published: January 29, 2025
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Shein’s interest in chemical recycling comes as the company works toward a goal to increase annual recycled polyester use from 7.9% to 31% in its apparel by 2030. | Graffitimi/Shutterstock

Editor’s note: Learn more about textile recycling and many other topics at the upcoming Textile Recovery Summit, part of the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. 

Global clothing e-commerce retailer Shein has developed a chemical recycling process alongside a Chinese research university and is planning to start up a facility in June, producing 6.6 million pounds per year of chemically recycled polyester for use in its apparel. Continue Reading

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Eastman execs remain optimistic on DOE grant

Published: November 27, 2024
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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.

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ExxonMobil, Cyclyx increasing Texas recycling capacity

Published: November 27, 2024
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ExxonMobil company sign outside a company facility in Texas.

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.

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Alterra investment is latest LyondellBasell recycling move

Published: October 30, 2024
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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

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California recycling policy, lawsuits and report

Published: September 25, 2024
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California state capitol building.

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

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Ending legislative sessions advance plastics bills

Published: September 11, 2024
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Plastic grocery bags on a tile floor.

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.

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Companies provide updates on recycling operations

Published: August 14, 2024
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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. 

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Eastman plans to broaden chemical recycling plant’s inputs

Published: July 31, 2024
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Empty PET bottles for recycling.

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

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ICIS expert’s takeaways from NPE 2024

Published: May 30, 2024
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Resin pellets spilling onto black background from tube.

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

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How Exxon, others are building chemical recycling supply

Published: May 9, 2023
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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

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