Lummus, Sumitomo Chemical Open Licensing for PMMA Chemical Recycling Technology

Lummus Technology and Sumitomo Chemical have made their jointly developed polymethyl methacrylate chemical recycling process commercially available, marking a step toward industrial-scale circularity for acrylic plastics, according to company statements and industry reporting.

The move matters as manufacturers face tighter waste and emissions targets while demand grows for recycled polymers that meet virgin-grade specifications, particularly in automotive, electronics, and construction applications where PMMA is widely used.

The technology is the first major outcome of a strategic partnership announced in May 2024, when the two companies agreed to co-develop recycling and low-carbon solutions across the petrochemical value chain. Chemical recycling of PMMA has long been discussed as technically feasible but commercially challenging, given purity requirements for methyl methacrylate monomer and the economics of recovering value from end-of-life acrylic products.

Under the newly launched offering, the PMMA-CR process converts post-consumer and post-industrial PMMA waste back into high-purity MMA monomer through depolymerization. The system was validated at a pilot facility operated by Sumitomo Chemical in Japan, and the depolymerization unit was jointly developed with The Japan Steel Works. Company data indicate that the recycled MMA is equivalent in quality to fossil-derived material, allowing it to be reused in existing PMMA production lines without modification.

Executives said the technology is designed for continuous operation, using a twin-screw extruder that improves thermal efficiency and reduces downtime through self-cleaning features. Lummus said the process can be deployed in modular units, enabling producers to scale capacity by duplicating trains rather than building large, single-line plants. The companies estimate the process could reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 50% compared with conventional MMA production, though actual performance will depend on feedstock mix and plant configuration.

Industry observers note that PMMA recycling has lagged behind polyethylene and PET because mechanical recycling often degrades optical and mechanical properties, limiting reuse. Chemical recycling routes, while more capital-intensive, are increasingly viewed as necessary to meet recycled-content mandates in high-performance applications. Analysts say licensing-based deployment could accelerate adoption by allowing regional producers to integrate PMMA recycling without developing proprietary technology.

Lummus and Sumitomo Chemical said they plan to offer the process globally through commercial licensing, targeting producers seeking closed-loop recycling solutions and lower-carbon feedstocks. Industry groups argue that broader uptake will hinge on stable supplies of PMMA waste and supportive policy frameworks that recognize chemical recycling as a form of recycling rather than disposal.

Looking ahead, analysts expect interest in PMMA chemical recycling to grow as brand owners push for circular materials and regulators scrutinize acrylic waste streams, though project economics will remain sensitive to energy costs and recycled-content pricing.

Source: Lummus

SUNSHINE Spotlight: The launch of licensed PMMA chemical recycling signals a push to bring high-purity, closed-loop acrylic recycling from pilot scale to commercial reality.