ExxonMobil’s new hub diverts plastics from landfill

ExxonMobil has started operations at its large-scale advanced chemical recycling facility in Baytown, Texas. The site uses proprietary technology to transform 80 000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastics a year into raw materials.

The recycling plant at the company’s integrated manufacturing complex in Baytown is helping to divert plastic waste from landfill, including synthetic turf, bubble wrap and motor oil bottles. Since the start of a pilot at Baytown last year, ExxonMobil has recycled over 6 800 tonnes of plastic scrap.

‘We’ve proven our proprietary advanced recycling technology and now we’re leveraging our scale and integration to increase production of certified circular plastics to meet growing demand,’ says Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions.

‘There is substantial demand for recycled plastics and advanced recycling can play an important role by breaking down plastics that could not be recycled in traditional, mechanical methods,’ she adds. ‘We are collaborating with government, industry and communities to scale up the collection and sorting of plastic waste that will improve recycling rates and help our customers around the world meet their sustainability goals.’

ExxonMobil has launched a joint venture with Cyclyx International to collect and sort large volumes of plastic waste. The partners are eager to establish a ‘first-of-its-kind’ sorting facility in Houston to supply Baytown.