Chemical Recycling
Putting circularity into circulation – in Europe and beyond
Turning more of the plastics we use every day into valuable products
Across regions like Europe and beyond, plastics benefit society in many ways. Because they're lightweight, versatile and durable, they're often the material of choice when compared with alternatives such as paper, aluminum or glass. They're expected to play a vital role in helping achieve a net-zero future because they're needed for new lower-carbon technologies.
The chemical recycling process converts plastic waste back into its molecular building blocks, which then become the raw material for making new products, from fuels to lubricants to high performance chemicals and plastics. It’s a proven technology that can be used around the world to improve recycling rates and support a more circular economy.
News and information
EU Competitiveness: practical policy for a better future
Sept. 23, 2025
Red tape is driving investment out of Europe – and threatening the energy transition
Viewpoints
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5 min read
• Oct. 9, 2024
How we're supporting chemical recycling
Article
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3 min read
• Sept. 20, 2024
Why are some plastics harder to recycle?
Article
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3 min read
• July 24, 2024
Addressing plastic waste with chemical recycling
Article
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2 min read
• Sept. 25, 2024
We’re increasing our advanced recycling capacity to 500 million pounds annually—equivalent to nearly 25 Eiffel Towers!
Article
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2 min read
• Nov. 25, 2024How co-processing can support chemical recycling in Europe
Chemical recycling could help Europe recycle more plastic. By co-processing plastic waste using existing refinery infrastructure, we can scale up the technology faster and more economically.
Scaling up could allow us to reduce the amount of plastic sent to landfill and incineration and contribute to a circular economy for plastic.
Learn more about the positive impact that supporting chemical recycling through co-processing could have on Europe - and the potential consequences of not taking this approach.
A flexible, technology-neutral approach to mass balance supports co-processing – which allows recycled plastics and fossil feedstocks to be processed together in an integrated facility.
Europe can recycle more plastic and has a better chance of meeting plastic recycling and circularity targets.
Europe recycles less plastic.
More plastic waste is sent to incineration.
Enabling the use of co-processing through existing infrastructure helps create a business case for chemical recycling.
More money is likely invested into checmical recycling, helping to roll out the technology in Europe and strengthen industry in the region.
Not making co-processing in existing facilities a viable option:
Making co-processing in existing facilities a viable option:
Our work in chemical recycling
Products made from plastic are vital to modern life and to helping society achieve its net-zero ambitions. But plastic waste is a major challenge.
At ExxonMobil, our chemical recycling technology is already helping address plastic waste by transforming it into raw material for new products. With the right policies in place, we could bring this technology to Europe.
Considerable capacity
Our chemical recycling facility in Baytown, Texas in the U.S. started production in December 2022. As of March 2024, it’s processed over 22,000 metric tons of plastic waste – the weight of about two Eiffel Towers.
Why do we need chemical recycling?
Europe produces more than 30 million* metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste a year, but only 26.9%* is recycled. The rest goes to landfill or is incinerated with energy recovery (to produce steam, heat or energy).
While traditional mechanical recycling is growing, incineration has also increased 15% since 2018* - reinforcing the need for chemical recycling. Complementary to mechanical recycling, chemical recycling can help address plastic waste, increase recycling rates, and support a more circular economy for plastics.
To achieve recycling targets
Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling and can help Europe meet targets like recycling 55%* of plastic packaging by 2030.
To address plastic waste
Increasing the types of plastic that can be recycled, chemical recycling can help address plastic waste sent to landfills or incineration. Plastic waste can serve as an alternative to fossil-based feedstock.
To recycle more plastic
Multi-layer or contaminated plastic, like food packaging, is difficult to mechanically recycle. These plastics are typically incinerated or sent to landfills.
To create valuable new products
Chemical recycling heats up hard-to-recycle plastic (alongside other feed streams), removes contaminants, and turns it into raw material for a wide range of valuable new products.
To meet hygiene and safety standards
Virgin-quality materials are needed to meet safety and hygiene standards for plastic food packaging. Chemical recycling can help support circularity in this sector.
Learn how we're expanding the plastics lifecycle