Innovation pathway relevant to Background & introduction
Plastic waste management is a major challenge contributing to increasing CO2 emissions and health-related problems. The world generates over 200 million tons of plastic waste every year of which less than 10% goes for recycling. The rest is disposed of in the landfill, where it leaches harmful chemicals that spread to the groundwater and marine water. One of the sustainable ways is to convert plastics to oil through a method called pyrolysis. The oil can be used as a source of power and heat in internal combustion engines.
What are the key sustainability benefits?
Converting plastics to oil significantly reduces CO2 emissions and other chemical-related pollution. It is also a sustainable, domestic source of fuel thus minimizing dependency on fossil fuels and associated energy security threats.
How does this work?
The process involves pre-treatment of plastics and pyrolysis process which occurs at temperatures above 430 °C (800 °F) and under pressure to convert plastics into gas. It is then distilled to liquid form and further processed and refined to make the end product (bio-oil) suitable for use in internal combustion engines.
Where is innovation needed (which part of the process)?
Currently, the main challenge with the pyrolysis of plastic waste is the unavailability and inconsistent quality of feedstock, which requires the need for high-cost sorting processes. Further, poor market existence for end-use products and clarity on standards regarding product quality is a challenge.
Developing innovations in the pyrolysis process which can convert poor quality plastic feedstock is critical.
Keywords 
Knowledge resources UpdatesThe technology is new in that it is mobile and scalable. You can take the units to a site with the plastics and it will make usable fuel straight out of the machine
LinkPyrolysis is a promising pathway for the chemical recycling of plastic waste, which otherwise would end up incinerated or in landfills, and the production of food-grade, low-carbon footprint, recycled plastics.
LinkProducing oil from plastic waste will provide an alternative source of hydrocarbons
LinkPyrolysis, which essentially melts down polyolefin into its original form—aka oil and gas
LinkIt promises an economically and environmentally safe way to transform polyolefin plastic, the most common form of plastic, into gasoline, diesel fuel and other high-value items
LinkPyrolysis, however, can break the plastic down into chemical “feedstocks,” which could then be recycled (upcycled) into fuel or even used to create new virgin plastic
LinkTo transform the river basin by incentivizing residents to dispose of omnipresent plastic waste in its “reverse vending machines,” which provide coupons in exchange for certain plastics
LinkThe majority of the plastics we use in our daily life – different grades of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and even polyvinyl chloride, to some extent – can be processed into liquid fuel
LinkChennai startup Samudhyoga Waste Chakra uses advanced technology to derive value out of plastic and liquid waste in a decentralised, digitised, and decarbonised fashion
LinkChennai startup Samudhyoga Waste Chakra uses advanced technology to derive value out of plastic and liquid waste in a decentralised, digitised, and decarbonised fashion
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