MAIRE (MAIRE.MI) has announced that NEXTCHEM, through its subsidiary MyRemono, has been commissioned by Röhm to carry out a site-specific feasibility study for a chemical recycling facility dedicated to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The proposed plant would be located at Röhm’s manufacturing site in Worms, in south-west Germany. Röhm is a global leader in methacrylate chemistry, with production and research operations spanning Europe, North America and China.
The project supports Röhm’s long-term sustainability objectives, particularly its goal of fully eliminating the incineration and landfill disposal of PMMA-related production residues by 2030. By transitioning these materials into a recycling loop, Röhm aims to advance circular material use and strengthen sustainable practices across the PMMA value chain.
The study will evaluate the deployment of NEXTCHEM’s proprietary NXRe™ technology, a molten metal depolymerisation process designed for the continuous chemical recycling of PMMA. The modular NXRe™ system enables PMMA waste from both pre-consumer and post-consumer sources to be converted into high-purity recycled methyl methacrylate (r-MMA) with performance characteristics comparable to virgin material. The facility under assessment is designed for an annual processing capacity of approximately 5,000 tonnes and would be fully integrated with Röhm’s existing PMMA production operations.
MMA produced through the NXRe™ process is expected to deliver a substantial environmental benefit, with lifecycle analyses indicating a carbon footprint reduction of more than 90 percent compared with conventional virgin MMA production routes. This improvement is achieved by substituting fossil-based feedstocks with PMMA waste classified as Secondary Raw Material, while also avoiding emissions linked to raw material extraction and refining.
The award of this feasibility study represents a further step toward the commercial deployment and licensing of NXRe™ technology for PMMA recycling. In parallel, NEXTCHEM is advancing the construction of its first industrial-scale NXRe™ plant in Italy, which is currently under development and scheduled for completion in 2026.
Commenting on the announcement, Fabio Fritelli, Managing Director of NEXTCHEM, said that NXRe™ plays a central role in the company’s sustainable materials strategy. He noted that the collaboration with Röhm marks an important milestone in bringing advanced PMMA recycling technologies to industrial scale and highlights the importance of partnerships in accelerating the transition to a low-carbon and circular economy.
MAIRE SpA is a global engineering and technology group dedicated to supporting the energy transition. The company delivers integrated engineering and construction solutions for the downstream sector, alongside sustainable technology offerings across three core areas: sustainable fertilizers, low-carbon energy carriers, and circular economy solutions. Operating in around 50 countries, MAIRE has a workforce of nearly 10,500 employees and is supported by approximately 50,000 professionals engaged on projects worldwide. MAIRE is publicly listed on the Milan Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “MAIRE.”
