Trinseo Opens Next-Gen Depolymerization Facility in Italy
Specialty material solutions provider Trinseo recently announced the opening of its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) depolymerization facility in Rho, Italy. The pilot facility demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability by advancing next-generation recycling technology for acrylic solutions, in line with Trinseo’s 2030 Sustainable Product Portfolio Goals.
“We are thrilled about the opening of our depolymerization facility, which will help advance our goal to support a circular economy,” said Francesca Reverberi, Senior Vice President of Engineered Materials and Chief Sustainability Officer at Trinseo. “Our company remains committed to our sustainability goals, including investing in new recycling technologies that can support our customers in reaching their sustainability goals as well.”
Depolymerization, a chemical recycling process, transforms acrylic solutions back into their monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA). This technology enhances acrylic recycling by enabling the recycling of previously non-recyclable PMMA sheets and removing additives and contaminants from acrylic products, thereby increasing PMMA recycling. It complements other recycling methods and offers several benefits over traditional processes.
“Today is a critical milestone in our sustainability journey,” said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer at Trinseo. “Depolymerization expands our recycled feedstock capabilities, which in turn, will help us innovate new solutions. With this new capability, we can build a more robust recycled acrylics portfolio to better meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Trinseo’s PMMA depolymerization facility uses advanced technology to convert pre- and post-consumer acrylic solutions into high-purity regenerated MMA. This process, informed by the MMAtwo Consortium and funded by the EU’s Horizon 2020 program, creates a new value chain for PMMA recycling and reduces carbon footprint compared to virgin MMA. The recycled MMA (rMMA) produced is used in Trinseo’s Altuglas and Plexiglas R-Life products, matching the quality of virgin materials and suitable for high-quality applications like vehicle taillights and caravan windows.
