PureCycle says its process geared to save energy

PureCycle Technologies Inc., Orlando, Florida, has released an environment, social and governance (ESG) report that includes life cycle assessment (LCA) data it says shows the company's purification process for recycling polypropylene (No. 5 plastic) scrap “uses less energy and has lower carbon emissions than new plastic production.”

PureCycle says its 2021 ESG report “spotlights PureCycle’s effort to scale and optimize its unique No. 5 plastic recycling [process], harness the latest manufacturing technology systems and leverage top-tier talent to fulfill the company’s mission of transforming plastic [scrap] into a continuously renewable resource.”

The company says highlights of its report include that, based on the design of PureCycle’s Ironton, Ohio, facility, carbon emissions from creating recycled-content polypropylene (PP) are expected to be 35 percent lower compared with producing new PP.

As well, the company says, the PureCycle process is expected to use 79 percent less energy than new PP production. PureCycle also says it “is positioning itself to connect brands with high-quality, sustainable plastic to deliver on their promises to reduce new plastic production and to answer consumer demands for real sustainability.”

Mike Otworth, chair and CEO of PureCycle, says, “As a plastic recycling technology company aiming to reduce plastic waste, partnering with leading brands to help them create sustainable consumer products, and transforming the industry, it’s essential we also do our part to minimize our environmental impact and conserve resources. As we continue to refine our approach, we will look for impactful, innovative ways to reduce carbon emissions and utilize less energy. This is just the beginning.”