The permit will enable the company to begin operations at its headquarters in Hoo, Rochester, Kent.
The 25,000 square foot facility will initially house two of QMRE’s proprietary VÍXLA systems, which will each process up to five tonnes of plastic waste per day, converting it into oil.
The first production system has been developed in collaboration with A&M Renewables.
Additional VÍXLA units will be installed at a later date, with QMRE planning to scale the site to four systems in total.
Pyrolysis technology
The company’s technology uses a pyrolysis-based process to produce oil from end-of-life plastics.
According to QMRE, each automated, containerised VÍXLA unit can handle around 5,000kg of plastic waste daily, producing approximately 5,000 litres of QUEL, a pyro-oil which can be further refined back into new plastics.
The process is expected to achieve an 85% oil yield, with the remaining 12% comprising non-condensable gas, used internally to power the system, and around 3% carbon, which can be utilised in construction products.
Plastic waste is first shredded before being thermally processed in the absence of oxygen, breaking down hydrocarbon chains into oil vapour which is then condensed into liquid form.
The company said the modular design allows the systems to be deployed in a wide range of settings, from supermarkets and retail parks to industrial estates, public events and local authority recycling centres.
‘National network’ of plastic waste to oil systems
QMRE plans to establish a network of up to 100 sites across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, each operating four VÍXLA units.
Once complete, the network aims to process between 550,000 and 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually.
In April 2025, the company made its first senior management appointment by naming Lauren Gingell as company secretary.
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