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Pyrolysis

Technology Also known as: Thermal Cracking, Plastic-to-Oil

Quick Overview

Pyrolysis converts plastic waste into pyrolysis oil for new plastic production via chemical recycling.

Related terms: chemical-recycling thermochemical-liquefaction mass-balance-approach circular-economy

Overview

Thermal decomposition of plastics in the absence of oxygen (400-800°C) to produce pyrolysis oil, gas, and char. The oil can be used as feedstock for new plastics production, enabling chemical recycling of mixed or contaminated plastic waste.

Key Concepts

Pyrolysis converts plastic waste into pyrolysis oil for new plastic production via chemical recycling.

Industry Landscape

Major Companies & Projects

Alterra Energy, Brightmark, Plastic Energy, Agilyx, Nexus Circular, OMV, Shell are actively developing pyrolysis technologies and applications.

Applications

Polyolefins (PE, PP, PS), Mixed plastic waste, Food-contact recycled content via mass balance

Standards & Certifications

ISCC PLUS, RSB

chemical-recycling, thermochemical-liquefaction, mass-balance-approach, circular-economy

Further Reading

  • Industry reports from Nova-Institute, European Bioplastics, ISCC
  • Peer-reviewed literature in Green Chemistry, ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
  • Regulatory updates from EU Commission, USDA BioPreferred, FDA

Standards & Certifications

  • ISCC PLUS
  • RSB

Major Producers

  • Alterra Energy
  • Brightmark
  • Plastic Energy
  • Agilyx
  • Nexus Circular
  • OMV
  • Shell

Key Applications

  • Polyolefins (PE, PP, PS)
  • Mixed plastic waste
  • Food-contact recycled content via mass balance

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