Tennessee | Molecular Recycling Facility

Building a better circle

We envision a future where one of the world’s most useful, versatile and necessary materials — plastic — isn't wasted. Through innovation, Eastman is revolutionizing the future of circular materials. Our innovations touch lives everywhere, from the materials used make food containers, cellphone cases and reusable sports bottles to cosmetics containers and medical equipment. We are committed to driving innovation toward a more sustainable future.

The global waste crisis and climate change are two of the greatest challenges of our time, and the world desperately needs a materials revolution that will help address both. These challenges impact all of us — consumers, brands, nongovernmental organizations, investors and other stakeholders. Collectively, we know change is needed, and companies are setting aggressive goals to include recycled content in products. How do we meet these significant goals?

Foggy mountain filled with trees during sunrise.

Making the future of recycling a reality today

In 2021, we commercialized two technologies that transform plastic waste into new material for high-quality polymers with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Products like Tritan™ Renew and Cristal™ Renew are available today.

In 2020, we also launched Naia™ Renew cellulosic fibers, produced from 60% sustainably sourced wood pulp, using our carbon renewal technology, one of the two types of molecular recycling technologies.

Now, we're investing $250 million dollars to expand our capacity and enable more brands and consumers to choose a better future. This state-of-the-art facility will convert more than 110,000 metric tons of plastic waste into new raw material. As a result, we won’t have to use that same amount of fossil feedstock, which saves resources, time and energy.

Advancing a circular economy through Eastman innovation

Plastics that can’t be recycled today using traditional (mechanical) recycling must be landfilled or incinerated. Now, they'll have value as a raw material and become circular.
Plastic waste no longer has to be downcycled; it can be renewed over and over to virgin quality with no compromise in performance.
This can be done efficiently, with lower carbon emissions than the fossil-based process.
It is not a dream for the future—it is a reality today.

There’s no time to waste. The plant is under construction and expected to produce commercial quantities by the end of 2023.

Learn more by reading our molecular recycling facility news release.

Showing the world what's possible

There's a better way to treat plastic waste than throwing it away or sending it to a landfill or incinerator. Watch our short documentary to see how Eastman has looked to its past to create a recycling revolution for the future.

Mainstreaming circularity

Society needs to mainstream a circular economy. For Eastman, that means developing technology to create value from plastic waste, enabling durable products with longer shelf lives, reducing material consumption and reducing carbon emissions. It just makes sense. Our objective is to be a thought and action leader to define the path globally for circularity. We cannot solve the problem alone, but through partnerships, we can show the world what is possible and catalyze change.

Eastman has committed to recycling more than 250 million pounds (113.4 million kg) of plastic by 2025 and more than 500 million pounds (226 million kg) by 2030. We will leverage our molecular recycling facilities to reach those ambitious goals and provide brands and customers with sustainable solutions they need to meet consumer demand.