Depolymerization demonstration plant leader Andrea Zugni has been integral to Trinseo’s advancement of circular acrylic plastic waste solutions.

Depolymerization is a chemical recycling technology that is complementary to other traditional methods. It enables the expansion of acrylic polymer waste that can be recycled back to their original building block monomer for making recyclate-containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) solutions.

With a background in engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy, and a longstanding commitment to process safety and industrial hygiene, Andrea joined Trinseo in 2021 following its acquisition of Arkema. Driven by a vision for sustainably advantaged production, he transitioned from a safety-focused role to lead the depolymerization efforts.

“One of my career goals was to move from safety to production,” said Zugni. "So, with this facility, I was able to achieve this, as well as have the opportunity to move into the complex world of recycling. This is the first recycling facility within our Rho, Italy, site, and we are pioneering the latest depolymerization technology, which is a milestone for the PMMA recycling process in Europe.”

Zugni oversaw the demonstration plant’s launch in 2024, highlighting two key milestones: the successful production of recycled monomer in April, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony in June, which included Trinseo’s top executives and Italian local politicians. Reflecting on the first run he said, “The first days were very exciting, as well as challenging. Everything went smoothly though during our first monomer recycling process. We did it, and achieving that goal was incredibly rewarding.”

Now managing day-to-day operations, he oversees safety, trial runs, operator training, and yield optimization—all crucial to advancing Trinseo’s ambition of commercial scale-up for the facility. Looking ahead, Andrea envisions the facility expanding its volumes, driving efficiency, and fostering new innovations that set a benchmark for the recycling industry in Europe.

“The recycled PMMA market is going to grow as it supports the sustainability advancements of our customers in different fields, including the automotive industry and consumer goods and electronics. We are focused on expanding our knowledge of depolymerization and obtaining even greater results with our plant in Rho,” said Zugni.