We work with a number of technologies but our chemical recycling projects employ a process called thermal depolymerisation. This is the thermal degradation of long-chain polymers into less complex molecules in an inert environment. The outcome is that we convert conventionally unrecyclable waste plastic to a valuable recyclate that is highly sought after as a sustainable replacement for fossil oil in the manufacture of new polymers.

Technically any organic feedstock can be heated and its synthesis gas condensed. In practise, it is only suited to (and viable for) certain types of waste. Plastic waste is one of these.

Above destructive or energetic waste disposal, but below reuse.

If it is commercially feasible to recover assets via conventional (mechanical) means, this is always prioritised. Chemical recycling is not an alternative to, or replacement for, mechanical recycling; it is a method of recovering assets which would otherwise be lost to incineration or landfill because the value of what can be recovered mechanically would not sustain the cost of doing so.

No

Incineration is combustion - the waste material is used as a fuel. The exhaust gases require scrubbing and carbon dioxide is produced (if incinerated, plastic generates almost 3 times its own weight in carbon dioxide).

Thermal depolymerisation of plastic is a chemical reaction in a closed system that yields >80% recyclate in the form of synthetic oils and waxes. A recoverable synthesis gas is also produced (and a small amount of solid carbon residue) but there are no combustion emissions from the process itself because no oxidisation of the feedstock takes place.