Freepoint Eco-Systems breaks ground on plastic recycling facility in Ohio

Freepoint Eco-Systems LLC has broken ground on its first commercial-scale advanced plastics recycling facility, located in Hebron, Ohio.

The Houston-based company says the new facility, which received International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC Plus) in April, will recycle postuse plastics otherwise destined for landfills or incineration. The plant will span 25 acres and use an existing 260,000-square-foot warehouse, which the company says will make it one of the largest advanced recycling facilities in the world, capable of recycling 90,000 tons of materials per year.

Freepoint uses pyrolysis technology to convert plastic scrap into feedstock that will be used to make new plastic products. As a result, the company says less plastic scrap is landfilled or incinerated, more oil is left in the ground and the process reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent compared to plastic made from fossil fuels.

The company says it will create 200 construction jobs in Ohio in 2023 to build the facility, as well as 70 full-time circular economy jobs once it begins commercial operations in the first half of 2024.

“Breaking ground on Freepoint’s flagship facility in Ohio marks the next big step in expanding our advanced recycling footprint in the United States and across the globe,” Freepoint Managing Director Jeff McMahon says. “From construction to the launch of operations and beyond, the facility will have a positive impact both broadly and in the Ohio community through plastic recycling, job creation and greenhouse gas reductions. Ultimately, we are working to contribute to a more sustainable circular economy.”

Freepoint says all recycled plastic feedstock produced at the Hebron facility will be sold to Shell in connection with a long-term supply agreement the two companies signed earlier this year.

Phil Turley, general manager of plastic circularity at Shell, says “I congratulate Freepoint on reaching this exciting milestone. Shell is delighted to be working with Freepoint and to have secured a hundred percent of the pyrolysis oil offtake from the plant that will be used at our Energy and Chemicals Park Norco. The pyrolysis offtake will make a valuable contribution to Shell’s strategy to deliver more of the circular chemicals our customers demand and is a great example of the collaboration needed to grow this value chain.”