Agylix Corporation and synthetic rubber producer Kumho Petrochemical have announced that they are cooperating on a project to apply Agylix’ technology to recover styrene monomer from post-use polystyrene waste to create SSBR for the manufacture of new tires.
As part of the project, the partners will develop and construct a new chemical recycling plant in South Korea.
Kumho Petrochemical is excited about the potential offered by the polystyrene depolymerisation technology developed by Agylix, which would enable the use of post-use plastics ‘while focusing on utilising post-use polystyrene into the pure styrene’, said Jong-Hoon Baek, CEO of Kumho Petrochemical.
“Collaboration with Agilyx will give Kumho Petrochemical an opportunity of proposing new line of eco-SSBR products to most of our customers who prefer sustainable products.”
For Agylix, too, the project marks a hitherto uninvestigated application for its technology. “The potential to use waste plastic to create high performance SSBR for the manufacture of tires is a very exciting example of our technology’s ability to create a new life for plastic,” said Tim Stedman, CEO of Agilyx.
The styrene monomer produced from post-use polystyrene feedstock via Agilyx’ chemical recycling process will serve as a virgin equivalent raw material to produce styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR). SBBR is a key component for the manufacture of tires, including for the large volume, high-performance tire segment. The project would expand the range of applications for recycled styrene monomer by introducing a new pathway for polystyrene into SSBR.
Kumho Petrochemical, founded in 1970 and possessing the largest synthetic rubber manufacturing capacity in the world, is active in various fields, such as synthetic resins, specialty chemicals, nanocarbon, energy, and building materials. The company manufactures synthetic rubber products using butadiene and styrene, etc., as raw materials. Along with synthetic rubber, synthetic resin, which is used in plastics and building materials, is one of the company's major areas of business.