Recycling
ExxonMobil's Baytown plant launches third advanced recycling unit, boosting plastic waste capacity
With the new unit, Baytown can now process up to roughly 250 million pounds of plastic waste annually
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By ICN Bureau | February 05, 2026
Global energy giant ExxonMobil's Baytown Texas complex has flipped the switch on its third advanced recycling unit, marking a major step in tackling plastic waste and driving a more circular economy.
With the new unit, Baytown can now process up to roughly 250 million pounds of plastic waste annually. “We’re on track to reach approximately 450 million pounds of annual advanced recycling capacity at our global facilities by year-end 2026,” the company said. “That means more plastics are diverted from landfills and transformed into raw materials for products people use every day.”
Advanced recycling handles plastics that are harder to recycle, complementing traditional methods. “By embedding advanced recycling units within existing facilities, we can scale faster and more efficiently — turning plastic waste into the feedstocks that make many other products like fuel and new plastic,” the company explained.
The company emphasized the role of policy in expansion. “We have the technology and the expertise to expand advanced recycling. What’s essential now is supportive policy frameworks — clear, consistent laws and regulations that recognize advanced recycling as a proven solution for hard-to-recycle plastics. We’re seeking the opportunity to keep doing what works, not asking for subsidies.
"That’s why we’re in support of federal legislation that would officially recognize advanced recycling as recycling, establish clear standards for recycled content claims, and ensure alignment across federal agencies, providing clarity for both industry and consumers.”
Support for the initiative is already strong. “And it’s supported by local and federal leaders, including the City of Baytown and US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin,” the company added.
