Agilyx technology to recycle brominated flame retardant-laden polystyrene

Agilyx Corp., a company that has developed advanced recycling methods for postuse plastics with U.S. operations based in Portland, Oregon, has announced that its collaboration with a technology partner will allow for the recycling of brominated flame retardant-laden polystyrene (PS) into a high-purity styrene monomer for direct use in downstream products, including PS, expanded polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene acrylonitrile resin and unsaturated polyester resins.

According to a news release from Agilyx, the company’s depolymerization technologies “open the pathway for previously unrecycled materials, such as foam and insulation, to be put back into use as new materials at a quality level equivalent to those manufactured from any other styrene monomer.” The company says the materials can be used for any application, including building materials and food containers.

“The ability to recycle flame retardant-laden polystyrene not only allows this contaminated material to be part of a sustainable recycling value chain, but it will open up new markets that were previously closed due to the contamination associated with these materials,” says Tim Stedman, chief executive officer of Agilyx. “This is an exciting step on our mission to making all plastics circular, even those that are most distressed and contaminated.”