World’s Largest Molecular Recycling Facility Almost Complete | Circular Economy

Eastman is rapidly approaching start-up of the world's largest material-to-material molecular recycling facility at our Kingsport, Tennessee, manufacturing site. We’re ramping up to process more than 110 kMT of hard-to-recycle waste plastic each year.

The facility will produce virgin-quality material containing up to 50% recycled content, enabling brands to meet their recycled content goals without sacrificing quality or performance. 

A key advantage of molecular recycling is we are not competing with mechanical recycling feedstocks; instead, we are focused on processing streams that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators. To ensure a localized approach and minimize our carbon footprint, we have qualified more than 100 sources of waste; a vast majority is sourced from within a 150-mile radius of Kingsport.
 
The impact of our efforts is truly remarkable. By utilizing over 110 kMT of plastic waste as a feedstock, we are preventing it from being disposed in landfills, being incinerated, or ending up in the environment. ​ To put it into perspective, it’s the equivalent of almost 11 billion water bottles, 790 million polyester shirts, or 2.7 billion shampoo bottles.​  
 
We are proud the vision is coming to fruition. Stay tuned for more…

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