Trinseo Opens Next-Generation Depolymerization Facility in Italy

Trinseo, a provider of specialty materials solutions, recently announced the opening of its polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) depolymerization plant in Rho, Italy. The pilot plant demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainability by advancing next-generation recycling technologies for acrylic acid solutions, in line with Trinseo’s 2030 sustainable portfolio goals.

“We are excited to open our depolymerization facility, which will help advance our goals to support a circular economy,” said Francesca Reverberi, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer of Trinseo Engineered Materials. “Our company remains committed to achieving sustainability goals, including investing in new recycling technologies to support our customers’ sustainability goals.”

Depolymerization is a chemical recycling process that converts acrylic acid solutions back into the monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA). The technology recycles previously unrecyclable PMMA sheets and removes additives and contaminants from acrylic products, thereby increasing PMMA recycling rates. It complements other recycling methods and offers several advantages over traditional processes.
"Today is an important milestone in our sustainability journey. Depolymerization expands our recycled feedstock capabilities, which in turn will help us innovate new solutions. With this new capability, we can build an even stronger recycled acrylic portfolio to better meet the evolving needs of our customers," said Han Hendriks, Chief Technology Officer at Trinseo.

Trinseo's PMMA depolymerization facility uses advanced technology to convert pre- and post-consumer acrylic acid solutions into high-purity recycled MMA. The process, informed by the MMAtwo consortium and funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 program, creates a new value chain for PMMA recycling with a reduced carbon footprint compared to virgin MMA. The recycled MMA (rMMA) produced is used in Trinseo's Altuglas and Plexiglas R-Life products and is comparable in quality to virgin material for high-quality applications such as automotive taillights and caravan windows.