Röhm is strengthening its commitment to the circular plastics economy by investing in the chemical recycling of methyl methacrylate (MMA) at its production facility in Worms, Germany. The company has introduced an internally developed technology that enables the industrial-scale processing and upgrading of chemically recycled MMA, marking a significant step forward in sustainable plastics manufacturing. The process uses polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as feedstock and converts it back into high-quality MMA through depolymerization, allowing the material to be reused in new production cycles.
Industrial-Scale Chemical Recycling Technology
For the first time, Röhm is implementing its proprietary recycling technology at industrial scale. The process involves breaking down PMMA waste into its original monomer, MMA, which can then be reused in polymer production. Thanks to the chemical structure of PMMA, the depolymerization process can achieve recycling yields exceeding 90 percent, making it one of the most efficient plastics for chemical recycling.
Röhm designed the technology so that it can be integrated directly into the existing MMA production facility in Worms. As a result, the company can expand recycling capacity without major infrastructure changes, while gradually increasing the share of recycled feedstock in its production processes.
Building a Closed-Loop System for PMMA
Through this investment, Röhm aims to establish a closed and scalable material loop for PMMA. Starting in summer 2027, recycled MMA (rMMA) produced at the Worms site will be used to manufacture products within Röhm’s proTerra portfolio across its integrated Verbund production network.
By incorporating recycled monomers into existing raw material streams, the company plans to produce materials with properties equivalent to those made from virgin feedstock, while simultaneously reducing reliance on fossil-based raw materials. The approach supports the broader industry transition toward circular material flows and sustainable polymer production.
Contribution to the European Recycling Alliance for PMMA
The scale-up of the technology is also part of Röhm’s contribution to the European Recycling Alliance for PMMA, which was established in late 2024 together with several industry partners. The alliance aims to significantly increase the recycling rate of end-of-life PMMA in Europe and create a fully closed material loop for the polymer. Each partner in the alliance contributes to a different stage of the recycling value chain.
Supporting Circularity in the PMMA Value Chain
According to Lukas Dössel, Director of Circular Economy at Röhm, the development represents an important milestone for sustainable plastics manufacturing. “With rMMA, we are creating a real cycle in the PMMA value chain. This enables us to support our customers in meeting future legal requirements. It is a decisive step toward sustainable material flows in Europe and reduced dependence on fossil raw materials,” he said.
Public Support and Environmental Benefits
Röhm’s investment in the Worms recycling project has also received co-financing and support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The funding programme aims to help industrial companies in Germany improve energy efficiency, optimise resource use, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The PMMA recycling initiative aligns closely with these objectives by increasing the share of secondary raw materials in production while maintaining high material efficiency.
Expanding Sustainable Materials for Industry
By integrating recycled MMA into its proTerra product portfolio, Röhm plans to enable customers across multiple sectors to adopt materials derived from chemical recycling without compromising performance or quality. These materials can be used in high-performance applications, including automotive components, medical devices, and other precision products, where high purity and stable material properties are essential. At the same time, the use of recycled feedstock helps reduce the environmental footprint compared with polymers produced entirely from virgin raw materials.
Driving the Transition to Circular Plastics
Röhm views the project not only as a technological innovation but also as part of a broader effort to transform plastics production. As Dössel noted, “With this investment, we are taking responsibility for a mindful and circular use of plastics. We do not just want to be part of the change — we want to actively drive it forward.”
As reported by plastech.biz, in the long term, initiatives such as the chemical recycling of PMMA and the European Recycling Alliance for PMMA could play a crucial role in increasing the availability of high-quality recycled feedstock for the plastics industry across Europe, supporting both circular economy goals and sustainable industrial growth.
