Eastman builds world-class molecular plastic recycling facility

On January 18, French President Emmanuel Macron and Eastman Chairman and CEO Marc Costa jointly announced that Eastman plans to invest up to $1 billion to build a new facility in France.

The multi-phase project of the investment includes several mixed plastic waste pretreatment units, a methanol decomposition unit for waste depolymerization, and multiple polymer product lines that provide high-quality raw materials for specialty materials, packaging and textile applications

According to the company, Eastman polyester recycling technology can break down these difficult-to-recycle plastic wastes into molecular monomers, which are then repolymerized into high-quality materials with no loss in performance

Costa said the innovation center will develop new recycling methods and applications to eliminate the incineration of plastic waste and conserve fossil fuel resources

The project is also supported by major global brands that are equally committed to tackling the global problem of plastic waste and see molecular recycling technology as a core tool in enabling a circular economy

Industry insiders believe that the global plastic waste crisis and climate change crisis are the focus of attention in France and the whole of Europe, and the circular economy is the key to addressing these crises

Costa said: “The investment project in France is an important step for Eastman to accelerate the development of circular economy on a global scale

Costa added that the plan to build a world-class plastic recycling facility in France is an important link in Eastman's overall circular economy strategy and a major milestone in delivering on its commitment