NextChem awarded feasibility study for chemical recycling project by Röhm

The undertaking aligns with Röhm’s target to completely eliminate incineration and landfill of PMMA-related production waste through recycling by 2030, reaffirming its commitment to advancing circularity and sustainable materials within the PMMA industry.

This initiative leverages NEXTCHEM's proprietary NXRe™ technology, an advanced and efficient molten metal depolymerisation process for the continuous chemical recycling of PMMA. NEXTCHEM’s NXRe modular technology enables the continuous depolymerisation of PMMA scraps – sourced from both pre and post-consumer streams – into ultra-pure recycled methyl methacrylate (r-MMA) with virgin-like quality. The plant is designed for a capacity of 5000 tpy, fully integrated into Röhm’s existing PMMA production infrastructure.

The recycled MMA produced via the technology is expected to reduce the carbon footprint by over 90% compared to current virgin MMA production methods. This significant reduction is driven by a circular approach where the use of PMMA scraps – classified as secondary raw material (SRM) – as feedstock, replaces fossil-based raw materials for virgin MMA production and eliminates emissions associated with their extraction and processing.

This award marks another milestone in establishing the foundation for licensing NXRe PMMA technology, while the construction of the first industrial-scale plant in Italy is currently under development and expected to be completed in 2026.

Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NEXTCHEM, commented: “Our NXRe PMMA technology is a cornerstone of our strategy for sustainable materials. This feasibility study with Röhm, a leading manufacturer of PMMA, marks a key step toward industrialising advanced recycling solutions and demonstrates the value of strong partnerships in driving the energy transition. Together, we are strengthening Europe’s PMMA circularity network and driving innovation for a low-carbon future.”

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/petrochemicals/17122025/nextchem-awarded-feasibility-study-for-chemical-recycling-project-by-rhm/