Novel Technology Transforms Tons of Plastic Waste into Clean Fuels

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): A new chemical conversion process could convert much of the world’s polyolefin waste into useful products including clean fuels.

The research team under the leadership of Linda Wang, the Maxine Spencer Nichols Professor in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering at Purdue University has made notable breakthrough by developing a technology which could convert more than 90% of the polyolefin waste into a wide range of useful products including pure polymers, monomers and fuels. The new technology is expected to boost the recycling industry. In addition, it will help the world in tackling rising plastic waste pollution.

The conversion technology, invented by Wang, Kai Jin, a graduate student, and Wan-Ting Chen, a postdoctoral researcher at Purdue, accepts polyolefin waste, which are then converted into naphtha, which is then used as a base for clean fuels and other products. It can also be further separated into specialty solvents or other products. The process could result in production of fuel, enough to satisfy 4% of annual demand for gasoline or diesel fuels.

The patented technology will stimulate the recycling industry to reduce plastic waste, Wang hoped.

Currently, the research focuses on optimizing the conversion technology, so as to produce high-quality gasoline and diesel fuels. It requires further investment towards demonstration at a commercial scale.