Page 20 - Plastics News March 2019

COMPANY NEWS

Eastman to pursue its circular recycling technology

eading specialty materials company Eastman, Kingsport, driven growth strategy and commitment to create value
LTennessee, has announced that it will pursue the launch through sustainability.”
of circular recycling technology that uses polyester
scrap that cannot be recycled using mechanical methods
currently available. Using the process of methanolysis, Prime Minister inaugurates
Eastman says its technology breaks down polyester-based projects at Barauni Refinery
products into their polymer building blocks, which can be
reintroduced to produce new polyester-based polymers.
Eastman says it has more than three decades of expertise M Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Barauni
in methanolysis, making the company “uniquely qualified PRefinery Expansion (from 6 to 9 MMTPA) project,
to be a leader in delivering this solution at commercial ATF hydro-treating unit (INDjet), Augmentation of
Paradip-Haldia-Durgapur LPG Pipeline and its extension
up to Patna and
Muzaffarpur and
revival of Barauni
Fertiliser plant.
He stressed that
setting up of the
polypropylene unit
will spur the era
of petrochemicals
industry in Bihar.
scale.” The technology enables the recycling of low- He appreciated the progressive vision of Ministry of
quality polyester, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Petroleum and Natural Gas for coming up with these
scrap that would typically be diverted to landfills into projects. Strengthening the Make in India initiative, the
high-quality polyesters suitable for use in a variety of end INDjet Unit will use indigenous technology developed by
markets, including food-contact applications, according IndianOil and will cater to both civil and military aviation
to the company. “We recognize that plastic waste is fuel requirements of Eastern India and Nepal. He said
a complex problem that needs advanced solutions. As that the revived fertilizer ammonia urea unit will be
we have engaged potential partners, it is clear there is gas based which shall provide impetus to farmers in the
high interest across the entire value chain,” says Mark region. He dedicated to the nation projects on Phase I
Costa, Eastman board chair and chief executive officer. of Jagdishpur-Haldia & Bokaro Dhamra Pipeline Project
“Our long history of technical expertise in chemical (JHBDPL) - Bihar Package and City Gas Distribution (CGD)
processes, including methanolysis, and our leading in Patna as part of ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga’ Yojana.
position in copolyester chemistry, enables us to provide He said that the 2655 Km JHBDPL pipeline covering Uttar
this innovative solution to address the growing challenges Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal will
of plastic waste in our environment.” be crucial in reviving fertilizers units in Barauni, Sindri
and Gorakhpur and also supply natural gas for houses
Eastman says it is executing an engineering feasibility and vehicles in Patna, Varanasi, Ranchi, Jamshedpur,
study on the design and construction of a commercial scale Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kolkata and other cities en
methanolysis facility to meet its customers’ demands and route the pipeline. The availability of environment
has engaged in initial discussions with potential partners friendly, convenient and economical natural gas will also
across the value chain regarding the development of such a help in reducing pollution levels. The CGD will supply
facility. The company’s goal is to be operating a full-scale, piped natural gas (PNG) to domestic customers and
circular recycling facility within 24 to 36 months. The commercial establishments while compressed natural
company says its efforts to find new end-of-life solutions gas (CNG) will be supplied for the transport sector
to advance the circular economy align with its “innovation- through CNG stations.

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