Mobile-Menu

USA: Circular Economy Exxon Mobil Tests Advanced Recycling of Plastic Waste

Editor: Ahlam Rais

Exxon Mobil has concluded the trial of its proprietary advanced recycling process for converting plastic waste into raw materials for the production of high-value polymers at its Baytown facilities in Texas, USA.

Related Companies

AZO GmbH + Co. KG
Maag Pump Systems AG
GIG Karasek GmbH
Exxon Mobil plans to market ISCC+ certified circular polymers later this year.
Exxon Mobil plans to market ISCC+ certified circular polymers later this year.
(Source: Deposit Photos)

Texas/USA – Exxon Mobil has completed the initial phase of a plant trial of a proprietary advanced recycling process for converting plastic waste into raw materials for production of high-value polymers. The trial, at the company’s existing facilities in Baytown, Texas, marks another step in Exxon Mobil’s efforts to help reduce plastic waste in the environment and maximize resource recovery.

Exxon Mobil intends to use results from the Baytown trial to scale-up advanced recycling capabilities at other global facilities, targeting a circular solution for converting difficult-to-recycle plastic waste into feedstock for virgin-quality plastic.

“Exxon Mobil is taking action to help address the issue of plastic waste,” said Karen McKee, president of Exxon Mobil Chemical Company. “This advanced recycling initiative brings together the strength of Exxon Mobil’s integrated petrochemical facilities and our deep technology expertise in chemical processing to capture value from plastic waste and meet our customers’ growing demand for high-performance, certified circular polymers.”

PROCESS Insights 2020-01
Current Challenges for Polyethylene Market and Projects

Polyethylene is one of the most widely used plastic resins in the world, accounting for over 1/3rd of the global plastics market.

While the market has been growing in the past, it is now experiencing a reduction in price that can be traced back to several factors including trade disputes, bans on single use plastics as well as overproduction. These factors are further exacerbated by the recent outbreak of COVID-19, which has an effect on the global economy.

This 11-page Expert Insight further explores reasons for the decline as well as possible strategies to mitigate these problems.

Exxon Mobil has already obtained certifications through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) process. ISCC+ is widely recognized by the industry as an effective system to certify products that result from advanced recycling of plastic waste. Pending a successful completion of the next phase of the Baytown plant trial, the company plans to market commercial volumes of certified circular plastics later this year.

Exxon Mobil has also formed a joint venture with Agilyx Corporation, Cyclyx International, focused on developing innovative solutions for aggregating and pre-processing large volumes of plastic waste that can be converted into feedstocks for valuable products. Cyclyx will help supply Exxon Mobil’s advanced recycling projects, and will aim to do the same for other customers.

The company supports the idea of making the most of resources and minimizing waste, which are the underlying principles of the circular economy concept. Advanced recycling, along with innovation and new processes, will play an important role in reducing plastic waste.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Unfold for details of your consent

(ID:47162321)

Related content