- Partnership paves the way for closed loop recycling to keep polystyrene out of
landfills
INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, and Agilyx, the leader in converting
post-consumer plastics to low-carbon fuels, chemicals, and plastics, announced today
they are advancing the development of a polystyrene (PS) chemical recycling facility
in Channahon, Illinois.
The facility will be capable of processing up to 100 tons per day of post-consumer polystyrene
and converting it into a styrene product that will go into the manufacturing of new polystyrene
products. The facility will leverage Agilyx’s proprietary chemical recycling technology, which
breaks polystyrene down to its molecular base monomers that will be used for the creation of
new styrenic polymers. This is a true circular recycling approach that enables everyday
products, like a cup, to be recycled back into a cup.
Agilyx recently completed a successful development program for INEOS Styrolution that
qualified the styrene product to INEOS’ specifications and the identified post-consumer
polystyrene feedstock for the process. The next phase of the project advances the engineering
and design of the facility.
“This is an incredibly exciting time to be in this industry,” said Ricardo Cuetos, VP INEOS
Styrolution Americas, Standard Products. “Agilyx’s chemical recycling technology is a game
changer to advance the circular recycling pathway of plastics. A benefit of chemical recycling is
there is no degradation over multiple cycles; the polymers can continue to create new products
over and over again of the same purity and performance of virgin polystyrene. This plant will
dramatically increase recycling rates in the greater Chicago area, dispelling the myth that
polystyrene can’t be recycled. We are thrilled to partner with Agilyx on this project.”
The Agilyx proprietary chemical recycling process can recycle polystyrene contaminated with
food and other organics and convert it back into new, food-grade plastic products or packaging.
The process demonstrates that so much more post-consumer plastics in the world today can be
chemically recycled to new plastic products again and become a renewable resource.
“Polystyrene is the best option for prepared food and beverage containers. It provides cost-
effective, high-quality packaging for food service applications,” said Joe Vaillancourt, Agilyx’s
chief executive officer. “Alternative polymers chosen over polystyrene experience low recycling
rates, are less amenable to chemical recycling, with most of those plastics ending up in landfills.
We are excited to be working with INEOS Styrolution to advance this chemical recycling
pathway that has the ability to significantly increase recycling rates all over the world.”
