Technological watch

Calling it a milestone in its circular economy initiatives, Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) today announced the first commercial sales of its Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene. CPChem uses advanced recycling technology, also referred to as chemical recycling, to process pyrolysis oil, a feedstock made from difficult-to-recycle waste plastics, which can then be used to manufacture new products.

CPChem has already begun delivering Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene and said that it is working to further expand production volumes. Since announcing the launch of its advanced recycling program in October 2020, CPChem has been certified by International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS. The company also has scaled production volumes and signed long-term feedstock supply agreements.

CPChem worked with Chevron to successfully process pyrolysis oil at Chevron’s Pascagoula Refinery in a certified commercial-scale trial. This enables CPChem to source feedstock derived from plastic waste to produce Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene. The company said that it is evaluating future collaborative opportunities with Chevron to reinforce both companies’ sustainability-related efforts and to support CPChem’s annual production target of 1 billion pounds of Marlex Anew Circular Polyethylene by 2030.

“The amount of pyrolysis oil used in the trial run equates to converting approximately two million one-gallon milk jugs into feedstock,” said Chris Cavote, President of Manufacturing for Chevron.”This is a great step in helping support customers’ growing demand for circular polymers.”