The University of Dundee has invented and patented the catalyst formula to be used in chemical feedstock recycling which is an alloy of palladium and zinc. Scotland-based Greenward has an agreement to obtain a licence from the University of Dundee to produce a catalyst that that cleans the emissions from the feedstock recycling process.
Traditionally, plastics have been difficult to recycle especially when different polymers are mixed, but feedstock recycling breaks down the chemical chains into smaller parts to be used again.
In the past chemical feedstock recycling for plastics has been hindered by the presence of chlorine from PVC, but according to Greenward this catalyst can work under PVC rich conditions.
David Hutson of Greenward told letsrecycle.com last week that this new feedstock recycling technology should be able to process all types of mixed plastics including from waste electronics, vehicles, construction and demolition, municipal and agricultural sources.
Once converted into oil and wax, there are potentially three main markets for the plastics that need to be developed, Mr Hutson said.
“It can go back into the petrochemical industry as a feedstock or as a fuel for diesel engines and it could be used as a domestic heating fuel. But there would need to be further refining of the product for domestic or diesel use,” he explained.
Pilot
A company in Wales, Metal Reduction Processors, is now looking to build a pilot plant as soon as possible to process around 100kg of scrap plastic an hour turning it into oil and wax, using Scottish Greenward's specialised catalyst.
Both companies are currently looking for financial investment into their plants and technologies. Greenward needs 50,000 investment in its first year and 150,000 in its second and has applied for SMART and SPUR awards. Mr Hutson said he is looking to open a plant to manufacture the catalyst in Scotland in late summer 2005.
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