The 2025 UH Energy Symposium on Plastics Circularity brought together leading voices from across industry, academia, and public policy to explore complex challenges鈥攁nd promising opportunities鈥攐f building a sustainable future for plastics. Held in the Houston Room at the UH Student Center, the symposium featured a full day of expert panels, technical sessions, and keynote speakers. Discussions focused on advancing technology, policy, and collaboration to drive sustainable solutions for the plastics manufacturing industry.
The opening session was kicked off with a keynote address by Torkel Rhenman, Executive Vice President of Advanced Polymer Solutions at LyondellBasell (LYB). Rhenman鈥檚 address set the tone for the day, emphasizing industry collaboration, infrastructure, and innovation as essential drivers in achieving a circular plastics economy.
Rhenman quickly noted the disparity between recycling rates in the U.S. and European nations: 鈥淭he average recycling rate in the U.S. is much lower than in Germany, for example. That gap forces us to ask: Why? And what needs to change to make circularity a reality?鈥�
Drawing on nearly four decades of experience in plastics manufacturing, Rhenman addressed the challenges of implementing industry-wide recycling practices. 鈥淲e need to work on the entire chain鈥攑olicy, technology, infrastructure, and consumer behavior鈥攖o make the economics of plastics circularity work,鈥� he said, stressing the importance of aligning industry practices with sustainable development goals for long-term impact.
LYB, one of the world鈥檚 largest producers of polymers, has set ambitious goals to produce and market recycled and renewable-based polymers, and generate incremental value for the company. 鈥淐ircularity wasn鈥檛 always our focus,鈥� Rhenman noted. 鈥淵ears ago, we asked ourselves what it would take to become a leader (in circularity). Now, leading in circular and low carbon solutions is embedded in our corporate strategy.鈥�
A key part of the company鈥檚 approach to circular and low carbon solutions is the development of integrated hubs, such as the one the company is developing in Cologne, Germany. 鈥淚t will include advanced plastic waste sorting operations, along with mechanical and chemical recycling capabilities, and will be integrated with the company鈥檚 existing manufacturing assets,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about turning waste back into virgin-quality plastics.鈥� Rhenman also mentioned how a second, even larger hub is also being considered for Houston at LYB鈥檚 former refinery site.
Rhenman highlighted the impact of MoReTec, the company鈥檚 proprietary chemical recycling technology. Designed to operate at lower temperatures and with fewer greenhouse gas emissions, MoReTec represents a step forward in scalable plastic repurposing. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been working on this for several years, and we are keen to call this (MoReTec) revolutionary,鈥� he said. Innovations like this bring us closer to helping make circularity a reality.鈥�
While showcasing LYB鈥檚 proactive steps to contribute to plastics circularity, Rhenman also stressed the need for public policy to catch up. 鈥淲e absolutely need a supportive regulatory environment, for example, recycled content mandates, extended producer responsibility programs, and investment in infrastructure,鈥� he said, while noting that Europe is already moving in this direction.
Despite challenges, Rhenman pointed to companies that are driving momentum. He noted that companies such as Volvo, Lego, and IKEA are already setting ambitious benchmarks, already having a significant percentage of their products made from sustainable materials.
At closing, Rhenman noted the challenges and transformations ahead for the plastics industry. He reiterated that achieving a circular plastics economy will require a global effort:
鈥淔rom legislation and standards, to improved infrastructure, educating and motivating consumers, the industry must work together across the value chain to integrate circular products into their applications.鈥�
Behind the technical, complex, and often arduous journey toward plastics circularity鈥攊ncluding the financial investment and technological developments needed鈥攖he mission Torkel Rhenman shared remains simple: everyone must do their part to help build a fully circular plastics ecosystem, where materials can be reused, broken down, and made new again.