A team, led by Swindon-based specialist plastic recycling technology provider, Recycling Technologies and including the University of Bath's Center for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, is developing a method of chemically breaking down mixtures of plastics into their constituent molecules which can then be used to manufacture new plastics or other high value products.

First Phase of Project Completed
The company has announced it has completed the first phase of a project funded by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) from UK Research and Innovation to enhance the efficiency of its process by hydrogenating Plaxx®, a recycled feedstock which can be used to manufacture new plastic. The project also investigated automation of the recycling process.

The SBRI project funding allowed Recycling Technologies to collaborate with NiTech, one of the leading authorities and experts on continuous processing, the Center for Sustainable and Circular Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath and Optimal Industrial Automation.

The project examined the feasibility of incorporating NiTech’s Oscillating Baffle Reactor (OBR) into the existing elements within Recycling Technologies pyrolysis machine to enhance the quality of Plaxx® to steam-cracker ready feedstock, thus avoiding the need for pre-treatment in advance to the manufacture of new plastic.

Analytical Technologies to Enhance Process Efficiency
The inclusion of Optimal Industrial Automation in the project has tested the feasibility of incorporating analytical technologies that to move towards digital control of distributed units that can be deployed and utilized flexibly across the world.

Marvine Besong, technical director at Recycling Technologies, said: “Recycling Technologies is delighted to have received this grant from the Small Business Research Initiative to work with CSCT, NiTech and Optimal Industrial Automation. This project is a critical element of our desire to accelerate the evolution of plastic into a more sustainable material through innovation and technical excellence.”

At the University of Bath, Professor Matthew Davidson, Dr Alfred Hill, Dr Simon Freakley, Dr Ulrich Hintermair and Professor Marcelle McManus from the CSCT have all been involved in the project.

Matthew Davidson, Whorrod Professor of sustainable chemical technologies and director of the CSCT said, “CSCT’s fundamental expertise in polymer science, catalysis, life-cycle assessment and reaction engineering has combined with the industrial expertise of Recycling Technologies, NiTech and Optimal to demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste. We now look forward to working with this unique team to deliver a demonstrator which will help bring the concept to commercial reality.”

» Publication Date: 08/01/2021

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