Full production scale trial successfully proves technology for depolymerizing acrylic
TEESSIDE, England and OSLO, Norway, December 8, 2021 – Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates (MCM) and partner, Agilyx Corporation (OSE: AGLX), a wholly owned subsidiary of Agilyx AS (Euronext Growth (Oslo): “AGLX”) and a pioneer in the chemical recycling of post-use plastics, announced today the successful results of a full-scale production trial for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA; commonly called acrylic) depolymerization at Agilyx’s facility in Tigard, Oregon.
The full-scale trial, conducted in August 2021, returned results consistent with the successful results of a laboratory-scale trial conducted in 2020. A mixed feedstock included both cast and extruded PMMA sheet, and the effects of different temperature settings were analysed to find the optimal conditions for PMMA pyrolysis.
Following the successful plant trial, experts from MCM and Agilyx met to build an action plan that sets out the required next steps.
“The results at full production scale are very encouraging,” said David Smith, circular economy programme lead, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates. “The teams at both MCM and Agilyx worked very well together, and all parties are excited at the prospect of building a new PMMA depolymerization plant using Agilyx technology.”
“The results of our PMMA trials in Tigard have been very positive,” stated Carsten Larsen, CCO of Agilyx. “We’ve proven that Agilyx technology is capable of turning PMMA back into its original monomer, MMA, creating a truly circular material. We’re excited to continue our collaboration with Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates.”
The crude MMA produced during the plant trial is currently being distilled at MCM’s pilot plant in Wilton, England and will be used both for internal product development and to validate the purification solution that will be used in this process.
For further information, contact:
Scott Neal – Communications Specialist, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates
Tel: +44 (0)1642 735066
scott.neal@m-chem.com
David Smith – Circular Economy Programme Lead, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates
Tel: +44 (0)7885 239742
david.smith@m-chem.com
Kate Ringier – VP, Communications and Government Affairs, Agilyx
Tel: + 41 43 883 0396
kate.ringier@agilyx.com
About Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates
Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates (MCM) is the global Methacrylates Division of Mitsubishi Chemical and the world’s largest producer of methyl-methacrylate (MMA). With manufacturing sites, sales offices and distribution networks throughout Asia, the Americas and Europe, MCM creates products that improve the quality of life around the world, every single day. Learn more at www.mcc-methacrylates.com.
About Agilyx Corporation
Agilyx (AGLX) is an early leader in the advanced recycling of difficult-to-recycle post-use plastics. With Agilyx’s chemical recycling technology, mixed plastic waste or streams of discrete post-use plastics, such as polystyrene, can be converted to new virgin-equivalent plastics, as well as chemical products and fuels – creating the opportunity for true circularity. The company has not only developed these first-to-market products but has also developed a feedstock management company, Cyclyx International, LLC, and is partnering with a range of waste service providers, municipalities, petrochemical, and brand and retail companies to develop closed-loop recycling solutions for mixed waste plastics. www.agilyx.com.