ExxonMobil Progresses with Chemical Recycling, Cites Ongoing Market Issues

ExxonMobil Chemical is advancing its chemical recycling initiatives, although, according to the media reports, officials acknowledge that the market still requires significant improvement. Michelle Salim, North America's advanced recycling commercial manager for ExxonMobil, highlighted the need for enhanced consumer awareness and improved recycling access during her speech at the Smithers Advanced Recycling Summit in Cuyahoga Falls on August 27. She stressed that consumers need clearer guidance on where and how to recycle effectively.

In late 2022, ExxonMobil launched a chemical recycling plant in Baytown, Texas, which is capable of processing 80 million pounds of plastic waste annually. Looking ahead, ExxonMobil plans to establish 14 additional chemical recycling plants around the world, aiming to achieve a global recycling capacity of 1 billion pounds by 2027. This expansion will enable the recycling of a broader range of plastics, according to Salim, who was quoted as saying by several media reports.

Furthermore, Cyclyx International, a joint venture between ExxonMobil, Agilyx, and LyondellBasell, announced plans to build its first advanced recycling facility in Houston late last year. This facility is expected to process nearly 300 million pounds of plastic feedstock annually, for both chemical and mechanical recycling. ExxonMobil and LyondellBasell have committed $135 million to support the facility’s construction and operational costs, with production slated to begin in mid-2025.

Salim did not address concerns raised in an August 24 report by CBS News and Inside Climate News regarding the viability of chemical recycling and the Cyclyx project. The report highlighted that over a year’s worth of collected plastic is currently stored, as the industry prepares for the new plant's launch. Ray Mastroleo, ExxonMobil’s global market development manager for advanced recycling, mentioned that the company has already processed 60 million pounds of plastic waste at its existing facility.

Cyclyx aims to tackle the challenge of recycling mixed plastic waste, including difficult-to-recycle items like food packaging, by processing materials from post-consumer, commercial, and industrial sources. Salim also noted that the Houston Recycling Center (HRC) is working with local schools and plans to add nine new drop-off recycling centers to address feedstock challenges. She highlighted that limited access to curbside recycling remains a significant obstacle.

At the recent NPE2024 trade show, ExxonMobil showcased its certified-circular polymers, which utilize the company’s Exxtend-brand technology for chemical recycling. These polymers are designed to enhance performance while providing sustainability benefits. ExxonMobil Chemical, a leading supplier of polyethylene, polypropylene, and specialty resins, operates as a division of ExxonMobil Corp., a global energy giant.

ExxonMobil Corporation is a major American multinational oil and gas company and the largest direct successor of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil.