Imagine a giant electric oven that can melt down the kinds of plastic waste that usually end up in landfills, like multilayer packaging. Instead of burning them, it breaks them down into a special oil. This oil is then used as a raw ingredient to make brand new, high-quality plastics, creating a closed loop that doesn't rely on oil drilling.
Less than 20% of European plastic waste is recycled, with the remainder incinerated or landfilled. Current chemical recycling often lacks the efficiency and low carbon footprint required for sustainable industrial scaling.
An integrated system featuring a modular extruder for pre-treatment and an electrically heated catalytic pyrolysis reactor, paired with a roto-dynamic reactor (RDR) for electrified steam cracking.
If you are a steam cracker operator dealing with high carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels — this project developed an electrified roto-dynamic reactor (RDR) that reduces GHG emissions by 90%. This allows you to use recycled plastic pyrolysis oil as a sustainable carbon feed.
If you are a waste processor dealing with non-recyclable multilayer plastics that currently go to landfills — this project developed a modular extruder and electrically heated reactor. This enables the valorization of 200 kta of mixed plastic waste into industrial feedstock.
If you are a plastic manufacturer dealing with strict circularity regulations — this project developed a process to transform mixed waste back into polyolefins. This provides a scalable circular solution for producing PE and PP with a low carbon footprint.
The project aims to guide the scalability of the process to achieve an economically viable valorization of 200 kta of mixed plastic waste.
Based on available project data, the electrified value chain is designed to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% compared to current best available technology, potentially lowering carbon tax burdens.
Based on available project data, the project demonstrates two specific technologies: a modular extruder and a roto-dynamic reactor (RDR), but specific licensing terms are not provided.
The main product, pyrolysis oil, is designed to be used as a direct feed for steam crackers, facilitating industrial symbiosis.
The project period runs from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2026.
The consortium is heavily industry-driven with a 62% industry ratio, comprising 8 industrial partners (including 5 SMEs) and 5 academic/research entities. This strong industrial presence across 8 countries suggests a high focus on commercial viability and market integration rather than pure theoretical research.
Contact Universiteit Gent for technical specifications on the electrified reactor.
Contact us to connect with the eLECTRO consortium for pilot integration opportunities.
