On 6 March 2025, Sumitomo Chemical announced they will start selling their polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, acrylic), which is made from methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomers produced through chemical recycling. South Korea’s LG Display and Japan’s Nissan Motor have decided to use this chemically-recycled material in their products. Sumitomo will accelerate the implementation of chemical recycling in the MMA supply chain. In 2022, Sumitomo built a new PMMA chemical recycling pilot facility at their factory in Niihama City, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. They also started a joint project with Niihama City to recycle PMMA protective partitions used to reduce droplet spread, and provided chemically recycled PMMA to Star Jewelry as raw material. In addition, Sumitomo have obtained third-party certifications such as ISCC PLUS. and are making efforts to implement practical recycling systems worldwide using the mass balance approach.
Sumitomo will supply chemically-recycled PMMA produced in their large-scale production facilities for high-quality applications such as electronics and automobiles. LG Display will be buying the Sumitomo PMMA as raw material for the light guide plates used in liquid crystal display backlights, and Nissan Motor as raw material for the lenses used in vehicle lighting components.
Sumitomo are making significant adjustments to their petrochemical-related business, creating value through technologies that reduce environmental impact. The value of recycled materials and products is increasingly recognized. To keep pace with this progress, Sumitomo will expand their chemical-recycling MMA material business and provide products widely throughout society through technology licensing, contributing to the realization of a sustainable society.
