Lummus Technology and Sumitomo Chemical today announced the commercial availability of their highly-efficient Polymethyl Methacrylate Chemical Recycling (PMMA-CR) technology. This builds on the strategic partnership between Lummus and Sumitomo Chemical, first announced in May 2024, to co-develop and commercialize technologies that support circularity and carbon-neutral society across the petrochemical value chain.
"By uniting Lummus' process expertise with Sumitomo Chemical's materials innovation, we're delivering a scalable, economically viable PMMA recycling solution," said Leon de Bruyn, president and chief executive officer, Lummus Technology. "This gives our customers a clear pathway to reduce waste, lower emissions and unlock new value from recycled materials—turning sustainability into a competitive advantage."
"We are proud to deliver this innovative PMMA-CR technology to market together with our trusted partner, Lummus Technology," said Seiji Takeuchi, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo Chemical. "Through commercial licensing, we will contribute to the realization of a circular economy by enabling the recycling of PMMA."
Since establishing the partnership in 2024, Lummus and Sumitomo Chemical advanced development and commercialization of the PMMA-CR technology, including successful validation at Sumitomo Chemical's pilot plant in Japan. The technology recycles end-of-life PMMA back into high-purity methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer. Its depolymerization system, developed by The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. and Sumitomo Chemical, produces recycled MMA that matches the quality of fossil-derived material. The process is also expected to cut life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50%*, reducing plastic waste and reliance on fossil-based feedstocks.
Key Technology Features
• Highly Efficient PMMA Recycling Process: Converts post-consumer and post-industrial PMMA waste into circular MMA monomer with high yield and high purity.
• Advanced Depolymerization System: Utilizes an efficient system featuring a twin-screw extruder and a heating system for uniform temperature and excellent thermal efficiency with further optimization specifically tailored for PMMA depolymerization.
• Continuous Operation: Self-cleaning extruder system ensures high equipment utilization and simple operability.
• Scalable and Modular: Capacity can be adjusted by duplicating trains; available as modular ISBL packages.
• Circular Integration: Produces recycled MMA monomer equivalent in quality to MMA monomer manufactured from fossil resources, enabling true closed-loop recycling for PMMA applications in automotive, electronics, construction, and more.
With PMMA-CR technology now available for licensing, Lummus and Sumitomo Chemical are ready to support customers' transition toward circular PMMA, help improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
* Sumitomo Chemical's calculated value based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, in comparison with materials derived from fossil resources.
