SCG Chemicals affiliate Circular Plas and Japan's Toyo Engineering are collaborating to expand capacity and business opportunities for converting mixed post-consumer plastics into recycled feedstock for petrochemicals.
A pilot plant in Rayong province has already succeeded in converting post-consumer plastics into pyrolysis products, a raw material for petrochemical plants, thereby closing the loop in the plastic lifecycle. This achievement is not only a technical feat but also a milestone in sustainability, as evidenced by the ISCC certification.
Circular Plas' plastic-recycling technology is particularly noteworthy for its energy efficiency and environmental benefits. The innovative use of proprietary multifunctional materials in the liquefaction process significantly reduces the temperature required for conversion, resulting in higher yields of light cracked oils and a reduced environmental footprint.
Moreover, Toyo's expertise in reactor design has been instrumental in adapting the technology to handle the variable nature of post-consumer plastics. Efforts to enhance continuous-operation capabilities and increase capacity utilization underscore the technical prowess and forward-thinking approach of both partners.
Currently, a new reactor jointly developed and designed between Toyo and Circular Plas is being prepared for installation at the pilot plant. Circular Plas and Toyo expect to demonstrate this reactor system in early 2025, bringing with it the prospect of scaling up the demonstration plant to achieving the target of commercialization.
Image courtesy of SCG Chemicals