Acrylic-based products manufacturer Lucite International, part of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group, is working with Agilyx to define the most suitable chemical recycling infrastructure for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

Agilyx will apply its depolymerization process to produce a virgin-quality monomer, or methyl methacrylate (MMA).

Lucite’s aim is to bring the technology to commercial realization by 2023, giving PMMA producers the ability to have their products recovered and recycled while also offering consumers fully recycled acrylic products.

In the interim, the UK-based acrylics specialist said it will work with all key stakeholders, including MMA and PMMA customers, manufacturers, distributors, fabricators and recyclers to develop a robust value chain.

Phil Bailey, general manager EMEA strategic business unit at Mitsubishi Chemical, said the company is “committed to ensuring PMMA becomes a fully sustainable material.” He added: “We know from our customers that there is great demand for this, driven by societal and environmental concerns. As global leaders in the MMA industry, we have a responsibility to take the lead in this area.”

In March this year, Lucite announced it would build a 350,000 t/y MMA plant in the US, taking advantage of the country’s favorable shale gas feedstock position. The project, which will use Lucite’s proprietary Alpha technology, is currently in the design phase and expected to be fully operational in 2025.

The company added that the plant will be the third and largest commercial application of its Alpha technology since it was developed and successfully implemented in 2008. It will be fully owned and operated by Mitsubishi Chemical.