FEEDSTOCK


Improving pyrolysis feedstock quality


A model specification has been published showing contamination limits for waste input to pyrolysis processes


Pyrolysis recycling of mixed plastics waste requires feedstock with a consistently low level of contami- nants, just as mechanical recycling does. Poor quality input results in poor quality pyrolysis oil output. The subject of input quality has been under the radar until recently but is gaining prominence as pyrolysis plant operators discuss their feedstock needs with waste suppliers during pre-commercial development projects. “Improving our knowledge of feedstock require- ments for pyrolysis can help progress the industry’s understanding of how chemical recycling and mechanical recycling can work alongside each other,” said Martyn Tickner, Chief Advisor of the Technical Solutions Centre at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste. In August, the alliance published a


16


white paper commissioned from Eunomia which provides guidelines for a pyrolysis feedstock model that can be used in supply discussions. The report Feedstock Quality Guidelines for


Pyrolysis of Plastic Waste is based on interviews with 32 companies and organisations in Asia, North America and Europe. It finds that pyrolysis opera- tors generally require well-sorted, clean feedstock comprising about 85% PE and PP. Moisture limits of around 7% are recommended and the report includes indicative thresholds for contaminants, such as PVC, PS and multilayer film barrier materi- als PET, PA and EVOH. The model feedstock specification in the report allows a maximum of 1% contamination from PVC and PVDC films, as they introduce chlorine atoms


Chemical Recycling – Global Insight 2023


IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72