Innovating to solve
the plastic waste crisis

The world desperately needs a solution to solve the global waste problem.

More than 460 million tons of plastic are produced each year, but only 15% is collected for recycling. Even worse, only 9% is mechanically recycled. So the vast majority of plastic waste is incinerated or ends up in landfills or the environment.

It’s a crisis that affects us all.

Unlocking the value in waste

Plastic waste is one of our planet’s greatest challenges, and we’re tackling it head on.

We take hard-to-recycle plastic waste that’s discarded and cannot be mechanically recycled to feed our innovative recycling technology. This process diverts plastic waste from landfills, incinerators and the environment, and it replaces fossil fuels as feedstock for creating new materials.

The result? We create virgin-quality materials used in a wide range of industries and products.

Hard-to-recycle plastic waste is our feedstock for a circular economy. And Eastman’s molecular recycling technology is what makes it possible.

It’s the feedstock™ - learn more

Engineer in a blue lab coat working with glassware.

Two lab employees in blue coats working with glassware and laboratory equipment.

What makes our technology revolutionary?

Our molecular recycling technologies break down waste and take it back to its basic monomers.

After our process, the molecules are indistinguishable from virgin materials, so plastic waste can be recycled again and again without degrading. These materials are then used in a wide range of new consumer goods.

Eastman’s molecular recycling process reduces greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels. Plus, we can divert a range of hard-to-recycle plastic waste from landfills, incinerators and our environment.

Polyester renewal technology

Carbon renewal technology