PCG and ExxonMobil Will Collaborate on Plastic Recycling in Malaysia
PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), PETRONAS' petrochemical arm, and ExxonMobil have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the possibility of large-scale application of innovative plastic recycling technology to help Malaysia achieve a circular economy for plastics.
Mohd Yusri, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, PCG, said:
"PCG has been continuously exploring and implementing innovative technologies to develop sustainable solutions demanded by its customers. This collaboration is yet another significant step towards the transition into a circular economy on the back of increased demand for circular products and signifies our commitment to using recycled raw materials in the chemical industry.”
Dave Andrew, Vice President of new market development, ExxonMobil, said:
"Advanced recycling plays an important role in meeting the growing demand for circular products while helping to address the challenge of plastic waste. Leveraging new technologies and the expertise of both of our organisations, we hope to accelerate a more circular economy for plastics in the region.”
The partnership builds on ExxonMobil and PETRONAS' long-standing relationship, which has witnessed numerous successful collaborations and business projects in Malaysia and abroad.
PCG is committed to expediting the region's transition to a more circular plastics economy. Several feasibility studies on plastic recycling are now being conducted by the company. PCG inked an agreement with Plastic Energy in 2019 to convert end-of-life plastics via pyrolysis, and the facility is expected to be operational by 2025.
Furthermore, PCG is cooperating with waste management companies to unlock the potential within Malaysia's solid waste ecosystem. These collaborations will aid in the diversion of plastic waste from landfills and the development of an ecosystem favourable to the transition to a circular economy.
To raise awareness of effective plastic waste management in Malaysia, PCG designed an education module called "Plastic, Sustainability, and You," which is delivered to schools around the country.
The module was created in partnership with the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association, the Ministry of Education, the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing Corporation, and the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association. PCG held webinar sessions using the content from this module and successfully reached over 130,000 people in Malaysia.
ExxonMobil intends to build approximately 500,000 metric tonnes of advanced recycling capacity at its integrated manufacturing plants worldwide by the end of 2026.
ExxonMobil has processed more than 5,000 metric tonnes of plastic waste at its advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas, using its proprietary Exxtend technology, and the facility is on target to complete large-scale expansion later this year.
The company is looking into more advanced recycling locations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Singapore, and is cooperating with Plastic Energy to establish an advanced recycling plant in France.
ExxonMobil is a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which is dedicated to accelerating investment in safe, scalable, and economically viable solutions to address plastic waste in the environment around the world.
ExxonMobil also contributed to the formation of the Houston Recycling Collaboration, which brings together government, industry, and the community to enhance recycling rates, reduce landfill, and turn waste into a valuable resource.
Source: PCG
