LyondellBasell has acquired 25% equity ownership of Cyclyx International, a joint venture between Agilyx and ExxonMobil, in what is hoped to be a step towards improved recycling and a circular economy for plastics in the United States.
“Investing in plastic waste value chain experts such as Cyclyx, together with Agilyx and ExxonMobil, helps create the robust supply chains we all need to increase access to circular and renewable feedstocks,” says Yvonne van der Laan, LyondellBasell executive vice president, Circular and Low Carbon Solutions. “This collaboration unlocks the necessary scale of recycled material and infrastructure for our planned integrated Circular and Low Carbon Solutions Hub in the Houston area and aligns with our purpose of creating solutions for everyday sustainable living.”
“We are excited by and welcome the inclusion of LyondellBasell in the ownership of Cyclyx,” Joseph Vaillancourt, CEO of Cyclyx, continues. “Headquartered in Houston, LyondellBasell is a respected global leader that shares our vision of a more sustainable future. We are uniquely positioned to enable their sustainability goals for plastic circularity.”
Cyclyx is also expanding its business model to incorporate a build, own, and operate option for Cyclyx Circularity Centers. It is anticipated that this model will allow Cyclyx more control over the custody and quality of custom-blending feedstocks across the value chain, from sourcing to delivery, and that it will improve the collection of end-of-life plastics to increase recycling rates across American communities and businesses.
Cyclyx is set to use its Cyclyx Circularity Labs to expand its chemical characterization database. This knowledge is expected to improve understanding of contamination management in post-use plastics in line with LyondellBasell’s 10to90 mission brand, which seeks to increase the recyclability of plastics from 10% to 90%.
The technology identifies the type of plastic, any additional ingredients like colouring or metal linings, ideal manufacturing methods, and contamination in order to meet customer specifications while ensuring that the feedstock is of high quality and integrity in line with ISCC PLUS certifications.
Additionally, the expanded model is said to help Cyclyx enhance its national footprint, broaden the scale of its feedstock services, and invest in future growth to support the wider industry.
LyondellBasell recently acquired a 50% stake in De Paauw Sustainable Resources’s holding company, Rodepa Vastgoed B.V., in the hopes of accessing more plastic waste feedstock for its mechanically recycled polymers.
The company also signed an agreement with KIRKBI A/S to invest in APK’s solvent-based LDPE recycling technology earlier this year.
Cyclyx also joined ExxonMobil, Sealed Air, and Ahold Delhaize USA to launch the first circular food packaging proof of concept for advanced recycling in the United States. By the end of 2026, the process is set to be evaluated for scale and recycle one billion pounds of plastic waste.
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Also, if you’re interested in packaging sustainability, you will want to attend our Sustainable Packaging Summit in Amsterdam on 14-15 November. The Summit brings together leaders and pioneers from across the industry to align strategically, learn, network, and create a critical mass to accelerate change. You can learn more by clicking here, and you can buy a ticket to attend here.
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