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Transforming Plastic Waste in the World’s Largest Molecular Recycling Facility

Transforming Plastic Waste in the World’s Largest Molecular Recycling Facility

Published 06-03-24

Submitted by Eastman

Eastman

Eastman’s innovative process takes recycling to a molecular level, creating new plastic from hard-to-recycle plastic waste. Learn more about the facility and what it can do at https://www.eastman.com/en/sustainability/environmental/circularity/site-locations/tennessee-site

The Kingsport facility is one of the largest molecular recycling facilities in the world, capable of recycling 110,000 metric tons every year. By scaling up this technology, we are making a big impact in reducing plastic waste and lowering carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil-based processes.

By closing the loop on plastic recycling, we are contributing to a truly circular economy. This means that the plastic products we produce can be recycled an infinite number of times, minimizing waste and conserving valuable resources.

Eastman is proud to lead the transformative movement towards a more sustainable future. Through innovative recycling technologies, we change the world, promoting a circular economy. This commitment benefits the environment and ensures widespread availability of our products, positively impacting industries and consumers globally.

Join us in embracing the power of recycling and together, let's make a difference in the world.

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Eastman

Eastman

Founded in 1920, Eastman is a global specialty materials company that produces a broad range of products found in items people use every day. With the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way, Eastman works with customers to deliver innovative products and solutions while maintaining a commitment to safety and sustainability. The company’s innovation-driven growth model takes advantage of world-class technology platforms, deep customer engagement, and differentiated application development to grow its leading positions in attractive end markets such as transportation, building and construction, and consumables. As a globally inclusive and diverse company, Eastman employs approximately 14,000 people around the world and serves customers in more than 100 countries. The company had 2023 revenue of approximately $9.2 billion and is headquartered in Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

About Eastman in the circular economy: In 2019, Eastman became the first company to begin commercial-scale chemical recycling for a broad set of waste plastics that would otherwise be landfilled or, worse, wind up in the environment. Eastman's molecular recycling technologies can process waste plastics traditional mechanical recycling methods cannot—including polyesters, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene—derived from a variety of sources, including single-use plastics, textiles, and carpet. These technologies provide a true circular solution of endless recycling for materials, allowing them to be reused repeatedly.

To learn more about how we’re working to make a more circular economy visit eastman.eco.

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