The conversion process, called thermo-chemical pyrolysis, occurs at temperatures above 400°C and in the absence of oxygen, allowing for the decomposition of the plastic material into oil and gas rich in potentially exploitable hydrocarbons. These products can be used as fuel or as raw materials for the production of new plastics, paints, solvents, and a wide range of organic compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, ethers, and monoaromatics.
To further enhance the process's efficiency and quality, ENEA researchers used a catalyst obtained from the recycling of ashes produced by coal gasification and combustion plants. These ashes are an industrial waste with an annual global production of approximately one billion tons. However, their use for catalyst synthesis could significantly contribute to the sustainability of production processes.
Marine plastic, collected from the seas and beaches, presents a unique challenge for recycling. These materials are heterogeneous, composed of a wide range of polymers with different shapes and sizes, often contaminated with sand, salt, shells, algae, and subject to various degradation processes, such as photo-oxidation by solar radiation.
Catalytic pyrolysis, however, has proven to be an effective solution for handling this complex variety of marine plastic waste. The process can manage large quantities of heterogeneous and untreated waste, paving the way for a new sustainable approach to recycling marine plastic.
Despite the challenges in managing marine plastic waste, this innovative technology offers the opportunity to create small pyrolysis plants installed in ports, which could potentially produce fuel for vessels directly from plastic recovered from the sea. This would represent a significant step in reducing marine pollution and efficiently utilizing resources.
The European directive on packaging and packaging waste has set ambitious plastic recycling targets for 2025 and 2030, while the European Union is committed to promoting the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of single-use plastic products.
However, global plastic production continues to grow, causing significant environmental issues, such as the accumulation of plastic waste in the seas and on coastlines. This innovative technology could make a significant contribution to the fight against plastic pollution and represents a step forward in the search for sustainable solutions for managing marine plastic waste.
At a time when addressing the plastic waste crisis is becoming increasingly urgent, ENEA's discovery offers concrete hope for a cleaner and more environmentally sustainable future. The combination of scientific innovation and environmental commitment brings us one step closer to a world where marine plastic can be transformed into valuable resources instead of posing a threat to marine and coastal ecosystems.
