Eastman launches first copolyester produced from molecular recycling

V.G.

29 June 2020

Eastman launches first copolyester produced from molecular recycling

The US-based provider of specialty materials is launching a new grade of Tritan, one of its leading copolyster. According to Eastman, Tritan renew offers the same durability, performance and safety of original Tritan but now with up to 50% recycled content derived from waste plastic.

This new generation of plastic has become possible thanks to the molecular recycling technologies implemented by Eastman and awarded last year at Luxe Pack Monaco.

“Tritan Renew is a significant step forward for Eastman as the first product to market using molecular recycling made possible by Eastman’s Advanced Circular Recycling technologies. We have made considerable progress over the past year to create sustainable solutions that convert millions of pounds of waste into new materials,” said Mark Costa, board chair and CEO of Eastman.

Endless recycling

In 2019, the company began commercial-scale recycling for a broad set of plastics to keep material from being sent to landfills or incinerated or ending up in the environment.

Eastman’s Advanced Circular Recycling technologies - carbon renewal technology (CRT) and polyester renewal technology (PRT) - have a significantly lower carbon footprint than production processes for products made from fossil fuel-based raw materials. Using methanolysis, advanced circular recycling breaks down polyester-based products into their polymer building blocks. These can then be reintroduced to the production of polyester-based polymers and the process can be made an infinite number of times, delivering a true circular solution.

Up to 50% recycled content

This process allows Eastman to incorporate up to 50% recycled plastic as a raw material for the manufacture of Tritan Renew, thus reducing consumption of fossil fuel and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Thanks to the rapid innovation of polyester renewal technology, Tritan Renew adds certified recycled content to its exceptional performance and delivers one of the most exciting sustainability solutions available,” said Scott Ballard, vice president and general manager for Eastman Specialty Plastics. “Tritan’s toughness has been enabling durable, reusable products to reduce the waste from single-use materials since its introduction in 2008.”

Eastman is producing Tritan Renew with certified recycled content for a variety of durable products, including reusable sports bottles, small appliances, and eyewear, as well as cosmetics packaging. The recycled content of these products is achieved through a mass balance allocation process certified by ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification).