Core Insights - Eastman Chemical Company has made significant advancements in chemical recycling, particularly through its methanolysis technology, positioning itself as the largest polyester chemical recycling enterprise globally [2][5] - The company is set to present its latest progress in polyester methanol chemical recycling at the 2025 Polymer Circular Economy Conference in Ningbo, China [5] Production Capacity and Facilities - Eastman operates three global plants, with one in Kingsport, Tennessee, already in operation, boasting an annual capacity of 110,000 tons (250 million pounds), making it the largest facility of its kind [4] - The Kingsport facility achieved record operational uptime and output in Q1 2025, contributing an estimated $75 million to $100 million in profits [4] - A second facility in Normandy, France, is under construction with a planned investment of $1 billion, expected to process 110,000 tons of waste plastic annually by 2027-2028 [4] - A third plant in Longview, Texas, with a total investment of $1.2 billion, is scheduled for completion in 2028, also processing 110,000 tons of difficult-to-recycle waste plastic [4] Business Strategy and Market Position - Despite the higher capital investment required for chemical recycling technology, Eastman views it as a "reasonable and profitable" business strategy, indicating that large-scale development is just beginning [5] - The methanol-based polyester recycling process offers advantages over traditional glycol methods, allowing for the recycling of colored bottles and carpets into virgin-equivalent monomers, thus addressing the limitations of physical recycling [5] Conference Overview - The 2025 Polymer Circular Economy Conference will focus on policy trends, chemical and physical recycling technologies, and high-value utilization of circular materials across various industries [15][36] - The conference aims to explore the latest attitudes and initiatives regarding polymer circular recycling globally, with a particular emphasis on China's strategic planning for the industry [15][40]