【Frontiers in HaiChuan Chemical Technology】Chemical recycling of methyl methacrylate (MMA) to produce polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)

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On March 6, Sumitomo Chemical announced that it would begin selling its polymer material – polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) – which is made from methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers produced through chemical recycling. South Korea’s LG Display and Japan’s Nissan Motor have decided to use this chemically recycled material in their products. As an industry leader, Sumitomo Chemical will accelerate the implementation of chemical recycling in the MMA supply chain. In 2022, Sumitomo Chemical built a new PMMA chemical recycling pilot facility at its plant in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. It has also carried out joint projects with Niihama City to recycle PMMA protective partitions used to reduce the spread of droplets, as well as to supply PMMA that has undergone chemical recycling to Star Jewelry as raw material for jewelry. In addition, Sumitomo Chemical has obtained third-party certifications such as ISCC PLUS, and is working to implement practical recycling systems worldwide using mass balance methods. Sumitomo Chemical will supply the chemically recycled PMMA it produces in its large-scale manufacturing facilities for applications that require high quality, such as in the electronics and automotive industries. The company will begin selling this product to LG Display as a raw material for light guide plates used in LCD display backlights, and to Nissan Motor as a raw material for lenses used in car headlights. Sumitomo Chemical is making significant adjustments to its petrochemical-related businesses, creating value through technologies that reduce environmental impact. The value of recycled materials and products is gaining increasing recognition. To keep up with this progress, Sumitomo Chemical will expand its business in the chemical recycling of MMA materials, and at the same time make its products widely available across society through technology licensing, thereby contributing to the creation of a sustainable society.