Honeywell unveils disruptive plastic recycling technology to help enable a circular economy for plastics

Honeywell's UpCycle process technology dramatically expands the range of recyclable plastics

Combined with other chemical and mechanical recycling processes, the new technology has the potential to increase the proportion of plastic waste that can be recycled globally to 90%

The new technology converts waste plastics into feedstock to produce new plastics, which reduces CO2 equivalent emissions by 57% compared to using fossil-sourced feedstocks to produce plastics

Sacyr, a Spain-based engineering and services company, was the first to use the technology

DES PRANS, Illinois, United States, November 4, 2021 – Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced the successful commercialization of a disruptive plastic recycling process. By broadening the range of recycled plastics and turning them into raw materials for the production of new plastics, the technology helps reduce the consumption of fossil fuels in the manufacture of virgin plastics, thereby reducing the carbon footprint and enabling hundreds or thousands of recyclings to contribute to a circular economy for plastics.

Honeywell's UpCycle process technology uses industry-leading molecular conversion, pyrolysis and contaminant management technologies to convert waste plastics into recycled polymer feedstocks, which can then be used to make new plastics. UpCycle technology has dramatically broadened the range of recyclable plastics, including waste plastics that would otherwise not be recyclable, such as colored, flexible, multi-layer packaging or polystyrene. Combined with other chemical and mechanical recycling processes, as well as improvements in collection and sorting processes, the UpCycle process technology has the potential to increase the proportion of plastic waste that can be recycled globally to 90%.

According to a September 2020 study by AMI International, a global market information provider for the plastics industry, a range of advanced recycling technologies, including UpCycle, could recycle between 5 million and 15 million tonnes of plastic waste annually by 2030. 1

Recycled plastics produced with UpCycle technology reduce carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 57% compared to producing the same weight of virgin plastic from fossil feedstocks. 2 The process also reduces CO2e emissions by up to 77% compared to traditional plastic waste disposals such as incineration and landfilling2. Reducing CO2 equivalent is one of the most significant advances of all pyrolysis technology solutions3,4.

"Plastics play an important role in human life, such as extending the shelf life of food and reducing the weight of vehicles to reduce emissions. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the plastic is successfully recycled. "Honeywell's UpCycle process solves this problem. It dramatically broadens the range of recyclable plastics, has the potential to disrupt the plastic economy, and plays a key role in improving the sustainability of the products people use every day. ”

Sacyr is a global engineering and services company headquartered in Spain with operations in more than 20 countries around the world. The company will be the first to deploy Honeywell's proprietary UpCycle process technology. Honeywell and Sacyr will create a joint venture to open and operate a recycling plant in Jerez de la Frontera, Andalusia, Spain. The plant, which is expected to come on stream in 2023, will be able to convert 30,000 tons of mixed plastic waste into Honeywell recycled polymer feedstock per year.

By partnering with companies with waste management experience, such as Sacyr, Honeywell is expected to help close the loop on the plastics supply chain by rolling out on-site recycling technology to collection stations. The recycling plant is modular and ready to deploy and install, providing a better balance between economies of scale and the amount of plastic waste generated locally.

"Partnering with Honeywell will help us bring a sustainable, circular solution to market," said Eduardo Campos, manager of Sacyr Circular, "The speed with which the plant is being built and the global viability of the solution can significantly increase our impact on the communities we serve, the environment and society as a whole." ”

Honeywell's UpCycle process technology was developed by Honeywell's Sustainable Technology Solutions division, part of Honeywell UOP. This latest technology is part of Honeywell's long-standing philosophy of providing high-impact, sustainable environmental solutions to customers and society.

Honeywell has a long history of sustainability innovation, such as Solstice's® new generation of low-GWP hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) refrigerants, blowing agents, aerosol propellants and solvents that reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 99% from existing products on the market. In addition, Honeywell pioneered the Ecofining™ process, which uses inedible natural oils, animal fats and other waste materials as feedstock to produce Honeywell Green Diesel ™, which is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel.

Honeywell has repeatedly set and exceeded ambitious sustainability goals to dramatically reduce its own greenhouse gas emissions. Building on this proven track record, Honeywell pledged in April to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment also builds on the company's decades-long tradition of innovation in helping customers achieve their environmental and social goals. In fact, about 50 percent of Honeywell's new product development is geared toward improving the environmental and social performance of its customers.

1 Actual utilization is affected by a variety of factors, such as favorable regulations and policies, the condition of the sorting infrastructure, and the results of life cycle analysis.

2 Honeywell Life Cycle Analysis, October 2021. The LCA results were calculated by Honeywell UOP in accordance with ISO 14040:2006 and 14044:2006, the international standards for life cycle assessment. This life cycle analysis is awaiting rigorous review.

3 Life Cycle Analysis Report on Plastics Energy: Life Cycle Analysis of Plastic Energy Technologies for Chemical Recycling of Mixed Plastic Waste

4 BASF Life Cycle Analysis Report: Life Cycle Analysis of Pyrolysis through Three Case Studies

Honeywell unveils disruptive plastic recycling technology to help enable a circular economy for plastics

Honeywell unveils disruptive plastic recycling technology to help enable a circular economy for plastics

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