ExxonMobil Invests Funds to Expand Advanced Recycling Operations

ExxonMobil has announced a significant investment of more than $200 million to enhance its advanced recycling capabilities at its Baytown and Beaumont sites in Texas.

The expanded operations are expected to begin in 2026 and are designed to increase the recycling of hard-to-recycle plastics, diverting them from landfills and contributing to the global effort to reduce plastic waste.

Expansion of Recycling Capacity

The new projects will add 350 million pounds of advanced recycling capacity per year at the Baytown and Beaumont facilities.

With this expansion, ExxonMobil’s total recycling capacity will reach 500 million pounds annually. The company plans to further increase this capacity. It aims for a global total of 1 billion pounds per year by 2027.

The growth is part of ExxonMobil’s broader strategy to scale its recycling technology and meet the rising demand for recycled materials across industries.

Commitment to Circular Economy

Karen McKee, President of ExxonMobil Product Solutions, commented, “We are solutions providers. This investment will enhance our ability to convert hard-to-recycle plastics into raw materials to produces new valuable products ”

The Baytown site has already demonstrated the success of large-scale advanced recycling. This has given ExxonMobil confidence in its ability to reach its goal of processing 1 billion pounds of plastic per year by 2027.

Meeting Growing Demand

The demand for advanced recycling solutions continues to grow. ExxonMobil serves customers in more than 15 countries, spanning industries from food-safe packaging to pet food, and the company is committed to expanding its capabilities further.

Advanced recycling processes enable the conversion of plastic waste into new raw materials for a range of products, including fuels, lubricants, high-performance chemicals, and plastics.

The technology complements traditional mechanical recycling by addressing a wider variety of plastic waste that cannot be processed through conventional methods.

A Key Element of Circularity

Advanced recycling plays a crucial role in the broader concept of circularity. The aim is to ensure reuse and recycle of plastic throughout their life cycle.

Circularity involves not only improving the recyclability of products but also optimizing waste management systems.

McKee noted that with the help of these innovation and collaboration world’s plastic waste challenge will be solved. He also emphasized the importance of supportive government policy to improve waste management and circularity.

ExxonMobil is driving these solutions through scalable technology, recycling infrastructure investments, and helping customers meet their sustainability goals.

Ongoing Initiatives and Partnerships

ExxonMobil’s commitment to advanced recycling dates back to its first Baytown facility, which began operations in 2022.

As of October 2024, the site has processed over 70 million pounds of plastic waste.

Additionally, ExxonMobil played a key role in the formation of the joint venture Cyclyx in 2021. It focuses on improving the collection and sorting of plastic waste to further enhance recycling efforts.

As per the press release, ExxonMobil is making ongoing investments and forming partnerships. These efforts aim to address the global plastic waste challenge and contribute to a more sustainable future.