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Superheated Water Recycles Tough Plastics
2 Oct
Summary
- A new process uses superheated water to break down difficult plastics.
- The Teesside facility can process 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
- This method offers an 80% lower climate impact than incineration.
A British company has developed an innovative method for recycling difficult plastic waste using high-temperature and high-pressure water. This process, known as HydroPRS, is being trialed at a facility in Teesside, aiming to transform materials that are typically sent to landfill or incinerated.
The HydroPRS process subjects challenging plastic waste, such as films and mixed packaging, to water heated above its critical point. This breaks down the polymers into hydrocarbons, which can then be repurposed as feedstock for manufacturing new plastics and other products.
In its initial phase, the Teesside plant is designed to process 20,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. This method is reported to have an 80% lower global warming impact compared to incinerating equivalent waste. However, researchers note that electricity consumption is a significant factor in the process's environmental footprint.
Mura Technology's first commercial HydroPRS plant began its commissioning process in October 2023. The recycled hydrocarbon products are expected to be supplied to commercial partners starting in 2024, potentially replacing a portion of fossil fuel-derived naphtha in plastic production.
The technology addresses a specific recycling challenge, enabling complex waste materials to remain within the production cycle rather than being discarded. While mechanical recycling remains viable for simpler plastics, this approach offers a new route for materials previously deemed unrecyclable.
